Arsenic Trioxide, injection drug name known as Asadin in Asia, as well as sold under the name Trisenox. Arsenic Trioxide is a mineral that crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system. As2O3 occurs naturally as two minerals, arsenolite (cubic As4O6) and claudetite (monoclinic). It is a tradition toxic substance.
Traditionally in Chinese medicine, raw arsenic is placed on fire and cover it with a container. The arsenic smoke will go up and condense on the container, then will droop. The longer and larger ones are used for medicine, its odorless and tasteless, the appearance is white frosty powder.
Uses
Although known for its poisonous properties, traditional Chinese medicine believes it can effectively treat challenging diseases when used properly, as stated in the Chinese "Compendium of Materia Medica". It is particularly useful for ulcer treatment. Functional indications include eliminating phlegm, relieving wheezing, treating malaria, and killing insects. It also treats various conditions like asthma, syphilis, ulcers, and ringworm. It can be uses internally by oral administration for example pills or powder, it can be also used externally in terms of powder and sprinkle or apply it, or as dressing or plaster. It is particularly effective for acute promyelocytic leukemia, and some Asian countries such as Taiwan, Singapore and Philippines currently uses Asadin for treatment in terms of injection [1] [2] [3].
Cancer
The most commonly mutated gene in cancer is TP53, but current treatments are ineffective. A study has found arsenic trioxide have been found to reactivate p53 mutations. Crystal structures show that arsenic trioxide binds to p53 mutants, stabilizing their structure and allowing them to suppress tumors. These findings suggest that ATO could be repurposed for personalized cancer therapies [4].
A study shown arsenic trioxide is effective for treating acute promyelocytic leukemia and glioma by regulating apoptosis and autophagy, producing reactive oxygen species, and inhibiting tumor stem cells. Its efficacy for gliomas and adverse reactions are being studied for future treatment improvements [5].
More studies have indicate with facilitation of other components enhance anti-tumor functions of arsenic trioxide [6] [7].
It is widely used for treating
Reference
[1] New drug approvals - November 2022. (2023, January 2). HSA. https://www.hsa.gov.sg/announcements/new-drug-approval/new-drug-approvals---november-2022
[2] Team, C. B. M. (n.d.). ASaDin Dosage/Direction for Use | MIMS Philippines. https://www.mims.com/philippines/drug/info/asadin/dosage
[3] 中國醫藥大學附設醫院. (2024, January 22). 認識化療藥品Arsenic Trioxide. 中國醫藥大學附設醫院. https://www.cmuh.cmu.edu.tw/HealthEdus/Detail?no=6763
[4] Chen, S., Wu, J., Liang, Y., Tang, Y., Song, H., Wu, L., Xing, Y., Ni, Y., Li, Y., Wang, Z., Xiao, S., Lü, X., Chen, S., & Lü, M. (2021). Arsenic Trioxide Rescues Structural p53 Mutations through a Cryptic Allosteric Site. Cancer Cell, 39(2), 225-239.e8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccell.2020.11.013
[5] Fang, Y., & Zhang, Z. (2020). Arsenic trioxide as a novel anti-glioma drug: a review. Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters, 25(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s11658-020-00236-7
[6] Chen, J., Jin, Z., Zhang, S., Zhang, X., Li, P., Yang, H., & Ma, Y. (2022). Arsenic trioxide elicits prophylactic and therapeutic immune responses against solid tumors by inducing necroptosis and ferroptosis. Cellular & Molecular Immunology/Cellular & Molecular Immunology, 20(1), 51–64. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41423-022-00956-0
[7] Tang, S., Shen, Y., Wei, X., Shen, Z., Lü, W., & Xu, J. (2022). Olaparib synergizes with arsenic trioxide by promoting apoptosis and ferroptosis in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Cell Death and Disease, 13(9). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41419-022-05257-y