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July 04, 2002 Cyanide as Cancer Killer Researchers at the London Imperial College say that they had harnessed a cyanide -generating system that could be developed to produce anti cancer drugs. This is based on the the mechanism used by the plants as a defense against the insects. Plants like the hydrangea and African potato contain an enzyme called linamarase which is capable of generating cyanide when they are damaged by animals or insects. The scientists believe that they can attach that enzyme to a cancer seeking antibody capable of recognizing a protein found only in certain cancers. The method known as AGENT ( Antibody Guided Enzyme Nitrile Therapy) - would produce an agent that could potentially kill cancer cells and leave the healthy tissue unharmed. The work is still at an early stage but it was promising. Dr. Mahendra Deonaraian of Imperial College's Department of Biochemistry told the British Association 's Festival Science meeting in London - " We have demonstrated that this system is able to specifically kill tumour cells by cyanide intoxication.". " The next step is to identify the best molecule to proceed before we go on to animal studies."
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