A cost-effective and natural alternative to chemotherapy may be in the offing after a team of scientists from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (Barc) found that a commonly-found amino acid acts like an anti-cancer molecule when administered in the right proportion and an appropriate environment.

The finding, published in an international journal last week, states that arginine, an essential amino acid, has proved to be extremely beneficial in killing tumor cells and disrupting the harmful cell membrane without causing any toxic effect on the normal cells.

Senior scientist TB Poduval from the Radiation Biology and Health Science Division of BARC confirmed the finding of the study, which was being conducted since the past three years. Arginine, when injected in proper doses and a suitable environment, leads to speedy disruption of tumor cells, thus resulting in disappearance of the tumor, the study states.

The scientists have hence proposed using arginine to reduce the size of the tumour before surgery, and also for intra-tumor chemotherapy. "Cancer therapy by conventional chemotherapy is hindered by toxic side effects and frequent development of multi-drug resistance by the cancer cells. Also, there are several inoperable tumours for which arginine would prove to be an effective molecule with no side effects," the research points out.

Besides, a single dose of arginine would cost merely Rs20-25, whereas chemotherapy can cost up to several lakhs of rupees. "Since arginine is very cheap, and a molecule known to human body, it should be considered for clinical trials," says the study.

The team, which comprised three scientists and a Phd student from the Mumbai University, carried out the study on animals and human cancer cells like lung cancer cells, mammary carcinoma or breast cancer cells, and intestinal cells. The scientists claim that the findings of this fundamental research should be used to carry out further comprehensive studies on arginine and its anti-cancer properties.

"This study has been carried out on mice, and then on human cancer cells. It should definitely be promoted further for clinical trials. So far, there is no clinical application of arginine in cancer therapy," said Dr Sandeep De, chief radiation oncologist, Holy Spirt Hospital.