Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity Assessment of Gadoteric Acid in Breast Cancer Cells

Background: Gadoteric acid is utilized in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a paramagnetic macrocyclic gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) in breast cancer patients. However, in parallel with its diagnostic and prognostic use, the effect of gadoteric acid on MCF-7 cells has not yet been demonstrated. The aim of this study was to examine the cytogenotoxic effects of gadoteric acid on MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Methods: MCF-7 cells were incubated with gadoteric acid (0.1-100 mM). The cytotoxic effect was examined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The DNA damage effect of gadoteric acid on breast cancer cells by incubation at multiples of IC50 (1.84 mM, 3.67 mM, 7.35 mM, and 14.7 mM) was examined by Comet assay. Results: Gadoteric acid (1-100 mM) significantly increased cytotoxicity in MCF-7 breast cancer cells (p < 0.001, p < 0.0001, and p < 0.0001, respectively). Gadoteric acid (1.84 mM, 3.67 mM, 7.35 mM, and 14.7 mM) dramatically increased genotoxicity in breast cancer cells (p < 0.01, p < 0.01, p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively). Conclusion: The results of our study indicate that gadoteric acid, which is used for diagnostic purposes in breast cancer, shows cytogenotoxic effect in MCF-7 cells under in vitro conditions. Our findings constitute the basic stepping stone for further studies in terms of therapeutic potential and additional studies are needed for clinical relevance.