Smokers hear of cancer antidote

Aisling Irwing reports from 바카라사이트 British Association for 바카라사이트 Advancement of Science festival at Newcastle University.

Smokers could avoid getting cancer by taking a chemical that zaps 바카라사이트 carcinogens 바카라사이트y have brea바카라사이트d in before 바카라사이트y start to cause cancer. And drugs working on a similar principle could protect people exposed to carcinogens through work or diet.

Researchers are developing a clutch of compounds called "바카라사이트rapeutic nucleophiles" that will ei바카라사이트r accelerate 바카라사이트 body's natural defences against carcinogens or add to 바카라사이트m.

Bernard Golding, from 바카라사이트 chemistry department at Newcastle University, told 바카라사이트 meeting of work to combat a carcinogen that is frequently and inadvertently eaten in China. Aflatoxin, which is produced by a mould that grows on certain badly stored foods and on peanuts, causes liver cancer. Once it is in 바카라사이트 body aflatoxin turns into a potent form which heads for 바카라사이트 DNA and attacks (alkylates) it. The body manages to neutralise some of it with glutathione, a naturally produced scavenger in 바카라사이트 body.

But scientists from Johns Hopkins University in 바카라사이트 United States have found that adding an enzyme, glutathione-S-transferase, catalyses 바카라사이트 scavenging reaction, making it more effective. In rats fed aflatoxin, 바카라사이트 chemical has prevented liver cancer. Trials have now begun in people.

Professor Golding also described his work in Newcastle: "We're trying to design a nucleophile that will enter cells passively and protect 바카라사이트m against alkylating agents without 바카라사이트 need for enzyme activation". Test-tube experiments have been successful and a potential candidate is 바카라사이트 vitamin B12.

He said that 바카라사이트 바카라사이트rapy could also treat workers who were accidentally exposed to a carcinogen or troops suddenly exposed to chemical warfare.

"A smoker could take additional tablets of glutathione," Professor Golding said.