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Updated: May 7, 2026
Cytotoxic Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy in Osteosarcoma Cells In Vitro
Published on: March 18, 2014
Comparison between sonodynamic and photodynamic effect on MDA-MB-231 cells.
Haiping Wang1, Quanhong Liu, Kun Zhang
1Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Ministry of Education, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest of China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710062, Shaanxi, China.
Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) show combined cytotoxic effects on cancer cells. SDT, enhanced by higher ultrasound intensity, and PDT both rely on reactive oxygen species (ROS) for tumor cell damage.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Oncology
- Photochemistry
Background:
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and sonodynamic therapy (SDT) are emerging cancer treatment strategies.
- Both PDT and SDT utilize photosensitizers and external stimuli (light or ultrasound) to generate cytotoxic effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the combined cytotoxic effects of varying ultrasound intensities and Ce6 concentrations in SDT.
- To evaluate the impact of different laser light doses and Ce6 concentrations in PDT.
- To compare the mechanisms of cell death induced by SDT and PDT in MDA-MB-231 cells.
Main Methods:
- MDA-MB-231 cells were treated with Ce6 at concentrations of 1, 2, 5, and 10μg/ml.
- Cells were exposed to ultrasound (0.36W/cm² or 0.72W/cm²) for SDT or laser light (1.2 and 2.5J/cm²) for PDT.
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) changes, and cell membrane integrity (using propidium iodide) were assessed.
Main Results:
- High Ce6 concentrations (5 and 10μg/ml) with 0.72W/cm² ultrasound significantly increased ROS and decreased MMP.
- PDT with 1μg/ml Ce6 and 1.2, 2.5J/cm² laser light also induced high ROS production and MMP decline.
- Ultrasound intensity aggravated cell membrane damage in SDT, while PDT showed no significant effect on membrane integrity.
Conclusions:
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a crucial role in both SDT and PDT efficacy.
- Mitochondria appear to be an initial target in PDT-induced cell death.
- SDT may induce multi-site damage in cancer cells, suggesting a broader mechanism of action.
