Abstract
Ectoine is a natural protectant expressed by halophile bacteria to resist challenges of their natural environments, such as drought, heat or high salt concentrations. As a compatible solute, ectoine does not interfere with the cell’s metabolism even at high molar concentrations. External application of ectoine results in surface hydration and membrane stabilization. It can reduce inflammation processes and was recently tested in a pilot study for the prevention and treatment of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis. Oral mucositis is especially frequent and severe in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), who receive radiotherapy or chemoradiation. It is extremely painful, can limit nutritional intake and may necessitate treatment interruptions, which can critically compromise outcome. As it was recently reported that in vitro ectoine has the ability to protect DNA against ionizing irradiation, it was the aim of this study to test whether ectoine may protect HNSCC cells from radiotherapy. Using HNSCC cell lines and primary human fibroblasts, we can show that in living cells ectoine does not impair DNA damage induction and cytotoxicity through ionizing radiation. We therefore conclude that testing the ectopic application of ectoine for its ability to alleviate early radiotherapy/chemoradiation-induced side effects is safe and feasible.
Highlights
Oral mucositis is one of the most frequent side effects during radiotherapy or chemoradiation (RT/CRT) for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) affecting the vast majority of patients receiving treatment with curative intent[1]
In order to evaluate the effect of ectoine on the radiation sensitivity of head and neck cancer cells, we compared the radiation responses of a human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative HNSCC cell line (HSC4), an HPV-positive HNSCC cell line (UD-SCC-2) and primary, normal human fibroblasts (F184; NHF) as an example of normal tissue cells in the presence or absence of ectoine
The main goal of this study was to test whether the external application of the compatible solute ectoine may have a protective effect on HNSCC tumor cells when treated with radiotherapy
Summary
Oral mucositis is one of the most frequent side effects during radiotherapy or chemoradiation (RT/CRT) for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) affecting the vast majority of patients receiving treatment with curative intent[1]. Ectoine leads to surface hydration and membrane stabilization of the tissue treated[14] Based on these effects, ectoine has the potential to reduce inflammation and has been and is further being tested for the treatment of several inflammatory conditions such as allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or acute pharyngitis/laryngitis[15,16,17,18,19]. Ectoine has the potential to reduce inflammation and has been and is further being tested for the treatment of several inflammatory conditions such as allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or acute pharyngitis/laryngitis[15,16,17,18,19] It is routinely used in many externally applied products, such as skin cream, nasal spray, inhalation solution or eye drops. In order to assess the safety and feasibility of testing the external application of ectoine as a protectant against radiation-induced oral mucositis during RT of HNSCC, it was the aim of this study to investigate whether externally applied ectoine can protect HNSCC tumor cells from ionizing radiation
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
