Scanning force microscopy observation of tumor cells treated with hematoporphyrin IX derivatives

Cells from human head-neck squamous cell carcinoma (hypopharynx, UMSCC11, and UMSCC22) and lung tumor (alveolus, UMSCC7) were investigated by light and scanning force microscopy (SFM) observation. In the present study a less-invasive contact mode was used to scan living cells in air covered with a thin fluid layer. The investigations were done without any pretreatment of the specimens for such observations as chemical fixation, or staining. Untreated tumor cells, and those treated with the antitumor drug hematoporphyrin IX derivative (HpD) were studied without photosensitizing. Additionally, the temperature influence on cell proliferation was studied. Three-dimensional topographic images and their magnifications offer highly informative insights into the untreated cell surface. In the present study, the cell structure destruction and cell death could partly be visualized by observing the head-neck tumor cells incubated with HpD. Most of the drug-treated head-neck tumor cells died (only 2%-5% of survivors). However, HpD could not affect cells of the lung tumor cell type. They, well known as more resistant against oxidation processes, survived to a great extent. Also, no distortion of the membrane under drug treatment could be observed. The possibilities and limits in the use of SFM for studying the topography of cell surfaces are presented in many details.