Breast Cancer and Arsenic Anticancer Effects: Systematic Review of the Experimental Data from In Vitro Studies

• Published in: BioMed research international Vol. 2022; pp. 8030931 - 16
• Main Authors: Skoczynska, Anna, Skoczynska, Marta
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Hindawi 29.12.2022; John Wiley & Sons, Inc; Hindawi Limited
• Subjects: Acids; Anticancer properties; Antitumor activity; Apoptosis; Arsenic; Breast cancer; Cancer cells; Cancer research; Cancer therapies; Carcinogenesis; Carcinogens; Care and treatment; Cell cycle; Cell membranes; Cyclin-dependent kinases; DNA methylation; Drinking water; Enzymes; Epigenetics; Estrogens; Experimental data; Free radicals; Genes; Health aspects; Kinases; Leukemia; Literature reviews; Mitochondria; Physiological aspects; Proteins; Review; Reviews; Systematic review; Toxicity; Womens health; Poland
• ISSN: 2314-6133; 2314-6141
• DOI: 10.1155/2022/8030931

Arsenic is a known environmental carcinogenic agent. However, under certain circumstances, it may exert anticancer effects. In this systematic review, we aim to provide information on recent developments in studies on arsenic antitumor effects in breast cancer. Research included in the review refers to experimental data from in vitro studies. The data was collected using search terms “breast cancer,” “arsenic,” and “anticancer” (25.05.2021). Only studies in English and published in the last 10 years were included. The search identified 123 studies from the EBSCOhost, PubMed, and Scopus databases. In the selection process, thirty full-texts were evaluated as eligible for the review. The literature of the last decade provides a lot of information on mechanisms behind anticancer effects of arsenic on breast cancer. Similar to arsenic-induced carcinogenesis, these mechanisms include the activation of the redox system and the increased production of free radicals. Targets of arsenic action are systems of cell membranes, mitochondria, pathways of intracellular transmission, and the genetic apparatus of the cell. Beneficial effects of arsenic use are possible due to significant metabolic differences between cancer and healthy cells. Further efforts are needed in order to establish modes and doses of treatment with arsenic that would provide anticancer activity with minimal toxicity.