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Updated: Aug 15, 2026
An In Vitro Approach to Photodynamic Therapy
Published on: August 17, 2018
The influence of photodynamic therapy on apoptosis in human melanoma cell line
J Saczko1, J Kulbacka, A Chwiłkowska
1Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University, Wrocław, Poland. michal@bioch.am.wroc.pl
Abstract:
Melanoma is the most severe of all skin cancers as it may grow rapidly and metastasize. The application of photodynamic therapy (PDT) opens new perspectives in treatment of this cancer. Numerous studies suggest that the exposure of tumor cells to PDT can lead to cell death via two separate processes: apoptosis or necrosis. The aim of this study was to assess in vitro photodynamic therapy which induces apoptosis in the human Beidegröm Melanoma (BM) cell line, using neutral comet assay. The cells were incubated with Photofrin II (15 microg/ml and 30 microg/ml) 4 h before and 3 h after irradiation for 5 or 10 min with the light intensity of 10 mW/cm2, using a lamp with red filter (632.8 nm). The percentage of apoptotic cells was significantly higher after PDT comparing to control cells. We observed 25% and 70% of apoptotic cells after shorter irradiation and treatment with 15 microg/ml and 30 microg/ml of Ph II, respectively. After longer irradiation, the respective values were 71.9% and 90%. The results suggest that induction of apoptosis is an important determinant of photodynamic sensitivity in the studied cell line and that some types of DNA damage are dependent on photosensitizer concentration and time of irradiation.
Insights
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) effectively induces apoptosis in melanoma cells. This study shows PDT
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Photobiology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer with high metastatic potential.
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising cancer treatment modality.
- PDT can induce cancer cell death through apoptosis or necrosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the in vitro efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in inducing apoptosis in the human Beidegröm Melanoma (BM) cell line.
- To assess the impact of photosensitizer concentration and irradiation time on PDT-induced apoptosis.
Main Methods:
- Human Beidegröm Melanoma (BM) cells were treated with Photofrin II at concentrations of 15 microg/ml and 30 microg/ml.
- Cells were irradiated with red light (632.8 nm) at an intensity of 10 mW/cm2 for 5 or 10 minutes.
- Apoptosis induction was quantified using the neutral comet assay.
Main Results:
- PDT significantly increased the percentage of apoptotic cells compared to controls.
- With shorter irradiation, 25% and 70% apoptosis were observed at 15 and 30 microg/ml Photofrin II, respectively.
- Longer irradiation resulted in 71.9% and 90% apoptosis at the same concentrations, indicating dose and time-dependent effects.
Conclusions:
- Apoptosis induction is a key factor in photodynamic therapy sensitivity for this melanoma cell line.
- The extent of DNA damage induced by PDT is influenced by photosensitizer concentration and irradiation duration.
- These findings support PDT as a viable strategy for melanoma treatment, with optimized parameters for enhanced efficacy.
