Arsenic sulfide as a potential anti‑cancer drug

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Pharmacology
• Traditional Chinese Medicine

Background:

• Arsenic sulfide (As4S4), the primary component of realgar, has established therapeutic uses in traditional Chinese medicine.
• While As4S4 shows efficacy against hematological malignancies, its impact on solid tumors requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the anti-cancer effects of As4S4 on various solid tumors.
• To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of As4S4's anti-tumor activity in vitro and in vivo.

Main Methods:

• In vitro studies utilized human solid tumor cell lines (gastric, melanoma, pancreatic, liver) and control liver cells, treated with As4S4.
• In vivo efficacy was assessed in mice bearing Lewis lung carcinoma tumors.
• Apoptosis was evaluated through morphological changes, sub-G1 population analysis, and caspase activation.

Main Results:

• As4S4 demonstrated dose- and time-dependent inhibition of solid tumor cell proliferation with minimal impact on normal liver cells.
• As4S4 treatment induced apoptosis in cancer cells, evidenced by morphological alterations and increased sub-G1 cell cycle phase.
• Activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 was observed, indicating the involvement of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway.
• Significant inhibition of tumor growth was observed in vivo in mice treated with As4S4.

Conclusions:

• As4S4 exhibits significant in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor activity against solid tumors.
• The anti-cancer mechanism of As4S4 involves the induction of apoptosis through caspase activation.
• As4S4 represents a promising therapeutic agent for solid tumor treatment.