Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Chemiluminescence-based Assays for Detection of Nitric Oxide and its Derivatives from Autoxidation and Nitrosated Compounds
08:23

Chemiluminescence-based Assays for Detection of Nitric Oxide and its Derivatives from Autoxidation and Nitrosated Compounds

Published on: February 16, 2022

Is nitric oxide important in photodynamic therapy?

Kimberley J Reeves1, Malcolm W R Reed, Nicola J Brown

  • 1University of Sheffield, UK. k.j.reeves@sheffield.ac.uk

Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology. B, Biology
|April 22, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Nitric oxide (NO) influences photodynamic therapy (PDT) outcomes by affecting vascular damage and cellular responses. Modulating NO may enhance PDT effectiveness in treating various cancers and other conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Science
  • Photochemistry
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses photosensitizers, light, and oxygen to generate reactive oxygen species, destroying abnormal tissue.
  • PDT is applied in ophthalmology, dermatology, and oncology but shows variable patient responses.
  • Nitric oxide (NO) is implicated in tumor progression and may influence PDT efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of nitric oxide (NO) in photodynamic therapy (PDT).
  • To focus on how NO influences vascular damage during PDT.
  • To explore strategies for modulating NO to improve PDT outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating nitric oxide and photodynamic therapy.
  • Analysis of mechanisms linking NO to PDT-induced oxidative stress and vascular effects.
  • Examination of NO's role in leukocyte recruitment and tumor progression in the context of PDT.

Main Results:

  • Nitric oxide (NO) production by tumor and normal cells affects PDT outcomes.
  • PDT induces processes like oxidative stress and vascular damage, which are sensitive to NO.
  • NO modulation is a potential strategy to enhance PDT's therapeutic effects.

Conclusions:

  • Nitric oxide plays a significant role in the vascular-mediated damage caused by PDT.
  • Understanding and modulating NO pathways can optimize photodynamic therapy efficacy.
  • Targeting NO may improve treatment response in patients undergoing PDT for various conditions.

More Related Videos

An In Vitro Approach to Photodynamic Therapy04:53

An In Vitro Approach to Photodynamic Therapy

Published on: August 17, 2018

An In-House-Built and Light-Emitting-Diode-Based Photodynamic Therapy Device for Enhancing Verteporfin Cytotoxicity in a 2D Cell Culture Model11:04

An In-House-Built and Light-Emitting-Diode-Based Photodynamic Therapy Device for Enhancing Verteporfin Cytotoxicity in a 2D Cell Culture Model

Published on: January 13, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway01:28

Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway

Nitric oxide (NO), an inorganic gas, acts as a potent second messenger in most animal and plant tissues. NO diffuses out of the cells that produce it and enters the neighboring cells to generate a downstream response. NO synthase (NOS) catalyzes NO production by the deamination of the amino acid arginine. There are three isoforms of NOS. Endothelial cells have endothelial NOS (eNOS), nerve and muscle cells have neuronal NOS (nNOS), and macrophages produce inducible NOS (iNOS) upon exposure to...
Antihypertensive Drugs: Vasodilators01:23

Antihypertensive Drugs: Vasodilators

Vasodilators, primarily affecting the smooth muscles within arterial and venous walls, are commonly used for hypertension treatment. Medications such as minoxidil and hydralazine primarily target arteries and arterioles, while sodium nitroprusside acts on arterioles and venules. Minoxidil, functioning as a prodrug, is metabolized by hepatic sulfotransferase into its active form, minoxidil sulfate, after oral administration. This metabolite binds to the sulfonylurea receptor (SUR) component of...