title: [Arsenic trioxide: impact on the growth and differentiation of cancer cells and possible use in cancer therapy].
abstract: Arsenic trioxide (As₂O₃) has recently been identified as an effective drug in different types of cancer therapy. It is a useful pharmacological agent in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) treatment, especially the form that is resistant to conventional chemotherapy with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). What is more, laboratory data suggest that As₂O₃ is also active when it comes to several solid tumor cell lines. However, the mechanism of action is not fully understood. As₂O₃ in high doses triggers apoptosis, while in lower concentrations it induces partial differentiation. The As₂O₃ mechanism of action involves effects on mitochondrial transmembrane potential which lead to apoptosis. It also acts on the activity of JNK kinase, glutathione, caspases, NF-ĸB nuclear factor or pro- and antiapoptotic proteins. This publication presents the current knowledge about the influence of arsenic trioxide in cancer cells.
authors.affiliation: Zakład Biochemii Farmaceutycznej, Uniwersytet Medyczny w Łodzi.
authors.forename: Ewelina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.forename: Wojciech P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Mielicki
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide; D001152:Arsenicals / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020169:Caspases / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D006801:Humans; D015473:Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D048670:MAP Kinase Kinase 4 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D010087:Oxides / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D001152:Arsenicals; D016328:NF-kappa B; D010087:Oxides; D048670:MAP Kinase Kinase 4; D020169:Caspases; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide