D16. Evaluating the Safety of Transdermal Deferoxamine Patch in Oncological Settings

PURPOSE: The transdermal deferoxamine (DFO) patch (TauTona Group) has a potential to mitigate radiation-induced skin damage in breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. However, its safety profile in oncological settings remains unexplored. This study investigates the effects of DFO on cancer cell biology using a xenograft murine breast cancer model. METHODS: Human breast cancer cells (MCF7-Luc2) and estrogen pellet were implanted in the mammary glands of 8-week-old immunodeficient female mice (NSG). In vivo tumor growth was evaluated weekly by bioluminescence imaging. Once tumors reached desired growth, DFO patches were applied daily for 30 days. Non-DFO-treated mice served as controls. Body weight changes were monitored weekly, and skin and tumor samples were preserved for downstream analyses. DFO delivery success was verified by evaluating HIF-1α protein levels through Western blot, while Ki-67 and CD31 immunofluorescence staining assessed cell proliferation and vascularization respectively. RESULTS: DFO-treated skin showed increased HIF-1α levels, indicating successful treatment. However, no significant differences were found in tumor growth (FC=0.8, p=0.392), cell proliferation (FC=0.8, p=0.131), or vascularization (FC=0.7, p=0.132) in DFO-treated tumor compared to control. Notably, DFO-treated mice experienced 10% greater body weight loss (p=0.011). CONCLUSION: This study underlines the necessity of assesing the oncological safety of radioprotective interventions. DFO appears to primarily affect superficial tissues without significantly impacting tumor growth, proliferation, or vascularization. Further research is needed to evaluate DFO’s influence on radiation therapy efficacy.