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arsenic trioxide

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A small-molecule arsenic compound with antineoplastic activity. The mechanism of action of arsenic trioxide is not completely understood. This agent causes damage to or degradation of the promyelocytic leukemia protein/retinoic acid receptor-alpha (PML/RARa) fusion protein; induces apoptosis in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells and in many other tumor cell types; promotes cell differentiation and suppresses cell proliferation in many different tumor cell types; and is pro-angiogenic.
Synonym:arsenic (III) oxide
arsenic sesquioxide
arsenous acid
arsenous acid anhydride
arsenous oxide
white arsenic
US brand name:Trisenox
Abbreviation:ATO
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