Rapid reduction in breast cancer mortality with inorganic arsenic in drinking water.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Arsenic trioxide is effective in treating promyelocytic leukemia, and laboratory studies demonstrate that arsenic trioxide causes apoptosis of human breast cancer cells. Region II in northern Chile experienced very high concentrations of inorganic arsenic in drinking water, especially in the main city Antofagasta from 1958 until an arsenic removal plant was installed in 1970.

Methods

We investigated breast cancer mortality from 1950 to 2010 among women in Region II compared to Region V, which had low arsenic water concentrations. We conducted studies on human breast cancer cell lines and compared arsenic exposure in Antofagasta with concentrations inducing apoptosis in laboratory studies.

Findings

Before 1958, breast cancer mortality rates were similar, but

SUBMITTER: Smith AH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4286879 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature