Neutral Electrolyzed Water Decreases Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cell Viability, Clonogenic Survival, Adhesion, Migration, and 3-D Spheroid Growth

Author(s): Ariana Cabrera-Licona, Juan Paz-García, Oscar F. Beas Guzmán, Iván Delgado-Enciso, Brenda A. Paz-Michel

Neutral Electrolyzed Water (NEW) is a type of electrolyzed oxidizing water that exhibits health-promoting properties in humans, as evidenced by its positive effects on wound repair, encompassing mild to severe injuries, modulation of both local and systemic inflammatory processes and, more recently, in the prevention and control of infections and symptoms associated with COVID-19. Concerning its potential in cancer treatment, there have been no prior direct investigations into its effects on cancer cells. In this study, we examined NEW-induced alterations in triple-negative breast cancer hallmarks, including cell proliferation, survival, migration, and adhesion, in 2-D cultures. Additionally, we assessed its impact on cell growth in 3-D cultures and their reversion. The results revealed that NEW containing 0.002% reactive oxygen species and chlorine affected the cell viability of the MDA-MB-231 line, in a concentration-dependent manner, with an IC50 of 28.95% v/v (R2= 0.9587; 95%IC= 27.87 to 30.07) at 96 hours of treatment. Treatment with 50% v/v resulted in a significant reduction in clonogenic survival (up to 96%), migration at 24 hours (up to 98%), and adhesion (up to 83%). Similarly, NEW decreased the growth of 3-D cultures in a concentration-dependent manner and, at 50% v/v, completely inhibited their reversion to 2-D. These findings parallel those obtained with the chemotherapy doxorubicin, the standard treatment for this type of cancer. The results suggest that NEW may represent a novel therapeutic option against this aggressive cancer type for which there is currently no specific therapy, warranting further exploration and attention.