February 2, 2012

expert reaction to a lab test that indicates some compounds containing silver have cytotoxic properties

A paper in the chemistry journal Dalton Transactions showed how silver can kill cancer cells in the test tube.

Prof Edzard Ernst, Professor of Complementary Medicine at Peninsula Medical School, said:

“This is an interesting test-tube experiment demonstrating that various forms of silver can kill cancer cells. While this line of inquiry is certainly worth further study, it would be very premature to draw any conclusions in terms of the treatment of human cancer. A plethora of compounds have similar activity but, for a range of reasons, cannot be used clinically. Any recommendation to use silver in any shape or form to cure cancer patients would, at this stage, be wholly irresponsible.”

‘Enhanced cytotoxicity of silver complexes bearing bidentate N-heterocyclic carbene ligands’ by Charlotte E. Willans et al was published in Dalton Transactions on 6 January.