Fullerene nanoparticles and their anti-oxidative effects: a comparison to other radioprotective agents

Radiation therapy occupies an important position in the treatment of malignant diseases in spite of the existence of radiation side effects on normal tissues. Thus, substances reducing both acute and late radiation effects on healthy tissues are being developed. Currently a sulphur-containing compound amifostine (WR2721, ethyol) is used in clinical practice as a radioprotectant. However, it has considerable side effects including hypotension (found in 62% of patients), hypocalcaemia, diarrhoea, nausea, and vomiting. Carbon nanospheres known as fullerenes and their water soluble derivatives (e.g. C60(OH)24, dendrofullerene DF-1) exert anti-oxidative properties and reduce damage to the DNA in irradiated cells. Water soluble fullerenes are low-toxic substances and thus, they are attractive in terms of their use as radioprotectants.