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

Abstract

Background: Pancreatic cancer constitutes an entity which is difficult to treat and, therefore, mostly fatal. Since heavy water (deuterium oxide, D₂O) 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 D₂O 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, D₂O yielded IC₅₀ 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, D₂O 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 D₂O might offer an additional option for the treatment of pancreatic carcinomas.