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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
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
Death and survival signals in photodynamic therapy
Michael Dewaele1, Tom Verfaillie, Wim Martinet
1Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Catholic University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Abstract:
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an anticancer modality utilizing the generation of singlet oxygen and other reactive oxygen species through visible light irradiation of a photosensitive dye accumulated in the cancerous tissue. Upon exposure of cancer cells to the photodynamic stress, multiple signaling cascades are concomitantly activated and depending on the subcellular location of the generated ROS and the intensity of the oxidative damage, they dictate whether cells will cope with the stress and survive or succumb and die. Different methodologies have been developed to allow the discrimination of cell death subroutines at the morphological, ultrastructural, and biochemical levels and to scrutinize signaling cascades in response to PDT. Here we describe a selection of useful techniques to characterize apoptosis and autophagy and to monitor the activation status of the MAPK- and Akt-mTOR pathways after PDT.
Insights
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses light-activated dyes to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cancer cells. This study details methods to analyze cell death pathways like apoptosis and autophagy, and signaling cascades such as MAPK and Akt-mTOR in response to PDT.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an anticancer treatment using photosensitive dyes and light to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS).
- PDT-induced oxidative stress activates cellular signaling pathways, influencing cancer cell survival or death.
- Understanding these pathways is crucial for optimizing PDT efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe techniques for characterizing apoptosis and autophagy in response to PDT.
- To present methods for monitoring the activation of MAPK and Akt-mTOR signaling pathways after PDT.
- To provide tools for dissecting cellular responses to photodynamic stress.
Main Methods:
- Morphological, ultrastructural, and biochemical analyses to discriminate cell death subroutines.
- Techniques to scrutinize signaling cascades activated by PDT.
- Specific methods for assessing apoptosis and autophagy.
- Monitoring activation of MAPK and Akt-mTOR pathways.
Main Results:
- The study outlines a selection of useful techniques for PDT research.
- These methods allow detailed characterization of cellular responses to photodynamic stress.
- The described techniques enable comprehensive analysis of cell death and signaling pathways.
Conclusions:
- Effective characterization of cellular responses to PDT requires robust methodologies.
- Analyzing apoptosis, autophagy, and key signaling pathways (MAPK, Akt-mTOR) provides insights into PDT outcomes.
- The described techniques support further research into optimizing PDT for cancer treatment.
