Ozone Selectively Inhibits Growth of Human Cancer Cells
Science Vol. 209, 22 Aug 1980, pp. 931-933
Abstract:
The growth of human cancer cells from lung, breast, and uterine
tumors was selectively inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by
ozone at 0.3 to 0.8 part per million of ozone in ambient air
during 8 days of culture. Human lung diploid fibroblasts served
as noncancerous control cells. The presence of ozone at 0.3 to
0.5 part per million inhibited cancer cell growth 40 and 60
percent, respectively. The non-cancerous lung cells were
unaffected at these levels. Exposure to ozone at 0.8 part per
million inhibited cancer cell growth more than 90 percent and
control cell growth less than 50 percent. Evidently, the
mechanisms for defense against ozone damage are impaired in
human cancer cells.
24 April 1980; revised 11 June 1980.