Low-energy electrons transform the nimorazole molecule into a radiosensitiser

0505285 - ÚFCH JH 2020 RIV GB eng J - Článek v odborném periodiku
Meissner, R. - Kočišek, Jaroslav - Feketeová, L. - Fedor, Juraj - Fárník, Michal - Limao-Vieira, P. - Illenberger, E. - Denifl, S.
Low-energy electrons transform the nimorazole molecule into a radiosensitiser.
Nature Communications. Roč. 10, JUN 2019 (2019), č. článku 2388. E-ISSN 2041-1723
Grant CEP: GA ČR GA19-01159S
Institucionální podpora: RVO:61388955
Klíčová slova: uracil * DNA * attachment
Obor OECD: Physical chemistry
Impakt faktor: 12.121, rok: 2019
Způsob publikování: Open access

While matter is irradiated with highly-energetic particles, it may become chemically modified. Thereby, the reactions of free low-energy electrons (LEEs) formed as secondary particles play an important role. It is unknown to what degree and by which mechanism LEEs contribute to the action of electron-affinic radiosensitisers applied in radiotherapy of hypoxic tumours. Here we show that LEEs effectively cause the reduction of the radiosensitiser nimorazole via associative electron attachment with the cross-section exceeding most of known molecules. This supports the hypothesis that nimorazole is selectively cytotoxic to tumour cells due to reduction of the molecule as prerequisite for accumulation in the cell. In contrast, dissociative electron attachment, commonly believed to be the source of chemical activity of LEEs, represents only a minor reaction channel which is further suppressed upon hydration. Our results show that LEEs may strongly contribute to the radiosensitising effect of nimorazole via associative electron attachment.
Trvalý link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0296757