Effects of Heavy Water (D2O) on Human Pancreatic Tumor Cells

• Published in: Anticancer research 2005-09, Vol.25 (5), p.3407-3411
• Main Authors: HARTMANN, Johannes, BADER, Yvonne, SZEKERES, Thomas, HORVATH, Zsuzsanna, SAIKO, Philipp, GRUSCH, Michael, ILLMER, Christoph, MADLENER, Sibylle, FRITZER-SZEKERES, Monika, HELLER, Nicole, ALKEN, Rudolf-Giesbert
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma - drug therapy; Adenocarcinoma - pathology; Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology; Apoptosis - drug effects; Biological and medical sciences; Cell Cycle - drug effects; Cell Growth Processes - drug effects; Cell Line, Tumor; Deuterium Oxide - pharmacology; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Humans; Liver. Biliary tract. Portal circulation. Exocrine pancreas; Medical sciences; Pancreatic Neoplasms - drug therapy; Pancreatic Neoplasms - pathology; Tumors
• ISSN: 0250-7005; 1791-7530

Background: Pancreatic cancer constitutes an entity which is difficult to treat and, therefore, mostly fatal. Since heavy water (deuterium oxide, D 2 O) was shown to be active in various cancer cell lines in vitro and in vivo, we now investigated its effects in human pancreatic tumor cells. Materials and Methods: The cytotoxic effects of D 2 O were examined in three pancreatic cancer cell lines (AsPC-1, BxPC-3 and PANC-1). Induction of apoptosis was determined by Hoechst/propidium iodide double staining and cell cycle distribution was investigated by FACS analysis. Results: Employing a clonogenic assay, D 2 O yielded IC 50 values of 15%, 18% and 27% in AsPC-1, PANC-1 and BxPC-3 cells, respectively, and led to the induction of apoptosis when compared to untreated controls. Moreover, D 2 O caused a cell cycle arrest in the G2-M-phase (BxPC-3, PANC-1) or in the S-phase (AsPC-1). Conclusion: It is hoped that D 2 O might offer an additional option for the treatment of pancreatic carcinomas.