scholarly journals Photodynamic Therapy in the Treatment of Cancer: A review

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bashir Ahmad Dar

The search for non-invasive or minimally invasive approaches for the treatment of cancer has led to the development of different therapeutic regimes and one such regime is photodynamic therapy (PDT). PDT is a non-thermal treatment based on the synergy of three elements: the administration of a photosensitizer drug; light at a precise wavelength; and the presence of oxygen. When these three components are combined, they lead to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in a complex cascade of events and subsequent cell death Studies revealed that PDT can prolong survival in patients with inoperable cancers and significantly improve the quality of life. With a number of recent technological improvements, PDT has the potential to become integrated into the mainstream strategy for cancer treatment. In this review, we have addressed the most important biological and physicochemical aspects of PDT, summarized its clinical status and provided an outlook for its potential future development. We also discussed the factors that hamper the exploration of this effective therapy and what should be changed to render it a more effective and more widely available option for patients.

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1345
Author(s):  
Sherif Ashraf Fahmy ◽  
Hassan Mohamed El-Said Azzazy ◽  
Jens Schaefer

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising non-invasive strategy in the fight against that which circumvents the systemic toxic effects of chemotherapeutics. It relies on photosensitizers (PSs), which are photoactivated by light irradiation and interaction with molecular oxygen. This generates highly reactive oxygen species (such as 1O2, H2O2, O2, ·OH), which kill cancer cells by necrosis or apoptosis. Despite the promising effects of PDT in cancer treatment, it still suffers from several shortcomings, such as poor biodistribution of hydrophobic PSs, low cellular uptake, and low efficacy in treating bulky or deep tumors. Hence, various nanoplatforms have been developed to increase PDT treatment effectiveness and minimize off-target adverse effects. Liposomes showed great potential in accommodating different PSs, chemotherapeutic drugs, and other therapeutically active molecules. Here, we review the state-of-the-art in encapsulating PSs alone or combined with other chemotherapeutic drugs into liposomes for effective tumor PDT.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Khatereh Khorsandi ◽  
Reza Hosseinzadeh ◽  
Elham Chamani

Abstract Background Melanoma as a type of skin cancer, is associated with a high mortality rate. Therefore, early diagnosis and efficient surgical treatment of this disease is very important. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) involves the activation of a photosensitizer by light at specific wavelength that interacts with oxygen and creates singlet oxygen molecules or reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can lead to tumor cell death. Furthermore, one of the main approches in the prevention and treatment of various cancers is plant compounds application. Phenolic compounds are essential class of natural antioxidants, which play crucial biological roles such as anticancer effects. It was previously suggested that flavonoid such as rutoside could acts as pro-oxidant or antioxidant. Hence, in this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of rutoside on the combination therapy with methylene blue (MB) assisted by photodynamic treatment (PDT) using red light source (660 nm; power density: 30 mW/cm2) on A375 human melanoma cancer cells. Methods For this purpose, the A375 human melanoma cancer cell lines were treated by MB-PDT and rutoside. Clonogenic cell survival, MTT assay, and cell death mechanisms were also determined after performing the treatment. Subsequently, after the rutoside treatment and photodynamic therapy (PDT), cell cycle and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation were measured. Results The obtained results showed that, MB-PDT and rutoside had better cytotoxic and antiprolifrative effects on A375 melanoma cancer cells compared to each free drug, whereas the cytotoxic effect on HDF human dermal fibroblast cell was not significant. MB-PDT and rutoside combination induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in the human melanoma cancer cell line. Intracellular ROS increased in A375 cancer cell line after the treatment with MB-PDT and rutoside. Conclusion The results suggest that, MB-PDT and rutoside could be considered as novel approaches as the combination treatment of melanoma cancer.


Author(s):  
Aylar Kargar ◽  
Mendane Saka

Cancer is one of the non-communicable diseases which has more than 100 types. Although cancer mechanism is unclear, in general, it is related to oxidation-reduction reactions. Minerals based on their effects on these pathways, have different influences on cancer condition. Based on the source of calcium and the location of cancer, the results could be varied. Zinc is a mineral which participates in healing the wounds and improves the immune system. Thus, serum levels of zinc could be a predictor of cancer. Selenium has a dose-response relation with different types of cancer and shows the antioxidant roles. However, this element could worsen the patient’s status. Iron creates free radicals in the body however iron deficiency anemia decreases the quality of life and affects the treatment in patients. Copper can cause damages via reactive oxygen species (ROS). In conclusion, the recommendations should be discreetly done, considering individuals’ status.


2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hee Sook Hwang ◽  
Heejun Shin ◽  
Jieun Han ◽  
Kun Na

Abstract Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is performed using a photosensitizer and light of specific wavelength in the presence of oxygen to generate singlet oxygen and reactive oxygen species(ROS) in the cancer cells. The accumulated photosensitizers in target sites induce ROS generation upon light activation, then the generated cytotoxic reactive oxygen species lead to tumor cell death via apoptosis or necrosis, and damages the target sites which results tumor destruction. As a consequence, the PDT-mediated cell death is associated with anti-tumor immune response. In this paper, the effects of PDT and immune response on tumors are reviewed. Activation of an immune response regarding the innate and adaptive immune response, interaction with immune cells and tumor cells that associated with antitumor efficacy of PDT are also discussed.


Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 3132
Author(s):  
Thais P. Pivetta ◽  
Caroline E. A. Botteon ◽  
Paulo A. Ribeiro ◽  
Priscyla D. Marcato ◽  
Maria Raposo

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) are photo-mediated treatments with different mechanisms of action that can be addressed for cancer treatment. Both phototherapies are highly successful and barely or non-invasive types of treatment that have gained attention in the past few years. The death of cancer cells because of the application of these therapies is caused by the formation of reactive oxygen species, that leads to oxidative stress for the case of photodynamic therapy and the generation of heat for the case of photothermal therapies. The advancement of nanotechnology allowed significant benefit to these therapies using nanoparticles, allowing both tuning of the process and an increase of effectiveness. The encapsulation of drugs, development of the most different organic and inorganic nanoparticles as well as the possibility of surfaces’ functionalization are some strategies used to combine phototherapy and nanotechnology, with the aim of an effective treatment with minimal side effects. This article presents an overview on the use of nanostructures in association with phototherapy, in the view of cancer treatment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 669
Author(s):  
Brandon Leviskas ◽  
Tibor Valyi-Nagy ◽  
Gnanasekar Munirathinam ◽  
Matthew Bork ◽  
Klara Valyi-Nagy ◽  
...  

Photodynamic therapy is a non-invasive method where light activates a photosensitizer bound to cancer cells, generating reactive oxygen species and resulting in cell death. This study assessed the oncolytic potential of photodynamic therapy, comparing European Medicines Agency and United States Food and Drug Administration-approved 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) to a metalloporphyrin, Pd(T4), against a highly invasive uveal melanoma cell line (C918) in two- and three-dimensional models in vitro. Epithelial monolayer studies displayed strong oncolytic effects (>70%) when utilizing Pd(T4) at a fraction of the concentration, and reduced pre-illumination time compared to 5-ALA post-405 nm irradiance. When analyzed at sub-optimal concentrations, application of Pd(T4) and 5-ALA with 405 nm displayed cumulative effects. Lethality from Pd(T4)-photodynamic therapy was maintained within a three-dimensional model, including the more resilient vasculogenic mimicry-forming cells, though at lower rates. At high concentrations, modality of cell death exhibited necrosis partially dependent on reactive oxygen species. However, sub-optimal concentrations of photosensitizer exhibited an apoptotic protein expression profile characterized by increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and endoplasmic stress-related proteins, along with downregulation of apoptotic inhibitors CIAP-1 and -2. Together, our results indicate Pd(T4) as a strong photosensitizer alone and in combination with 5-ALA against C918 cells.


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