Borrmann K, Eich H-T, Greve B
Klinik für Strahlentherapie – Radioonkologie-, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, UKM, Münster, DE

The therapeutic treatment of tumors leads to reactions in healthy tissue despite technical optimisation. Ionizing radiation induces formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which cause DNA damage and therefore severe side effects (i.e., erythema, fibrosis, telangiectasia, necrosis etc.). Antioxidants can capture ROS and reduce these side effects. We investigated the radio protective effects of Hydroxytyrosol (HT) and the Thioredoxin-mimetic peptide CB3 (TMP). ROS level increased in HaCaT (skin) and HUVEC (endothelia) cells after irradiation. Treatment with HT or TMP respectively lead to decreasing ROS level. Consequently, angiogenesis assays showed significant higher vascular structures compared to control. The clonogenic and wound healing assays with HaCaT demonstrated a higher cell survival and a faster wound closure, respectively. Both HT and TMP have radioprotective properties due to decreasing ROS in the skin and endothelial cell models. We currently investigate the combined use of these antioxidants with magnesium. The investigated antioxidants could be used in a protective gel overlay during irradiation of tumors in sensitive areas (i.e. breast) to reduce radiation effects in healthy tissue and to enhance wound healing in case of an adjuvant irradiation.