Researchers from Hong Kong developed oral arsenic trioxide to a prescription medication and has cured more than 100 leukaemia patients, according to the result of a research project publicized by the University of Hong Kong on Thursday.

This is the first time a drug developed entirely in Hong Kong and has secured a US patent, which is poised to attain global status as a prescription medication, the university's department of medicine said.

The research team found that with appropriate dosing, the potential toxic effects of arsenic, particularly toxicity to the heart, have been overcome.

According to the study results, oral arsenic has been shown to be highly active in acute promyelocytic leukaemia, and has now become a standard in the initial treatment of some patients, in the continuous treatment of patients in remission, and for patients in relapse. More than 100 patients have since been treated, with excellent results.

The use of oral arsenic has replaced bone marrow transplantation as the standard treatment for these patients. Oral arsenic has also been used in the treatment of other blood cancers, including lymphomas and myeloma, the researchers said.

(Source: Xinhua)