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Updated: Feb 9, 2026

An In Vitro Approach to Photodynamic Therapy
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An In Vitro Approach to Photodynamic Therapy

Published on: August 17, 2018

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Apoptosis, Paraptosis and Autophagy: Death and Survival Pathways Associated with Photodynamic Therapy

David Kessel1

  • 1Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI.

Photochemistry and Photobiology
|June 9, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Photodynamic therapy targeting subcellular organelles like mitochondria, lysosomes, or the ER can induce cell death. New research highlights paraptosis, a distinct cell death pathway triggered by ER photodamage.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular Biology
  • Photochemistry
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Photosensitizing agents enable targeted photodamage for studying cell death pathways.
  • Photodamage to mitochondria, lysosomes, or endoplasmic reticulum (ER) can induce apoptosis or autophagy, influencing anti-tumor efficacy.
  • Combined lysosomal and mitochondrial targeting enhances efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize current knowledge of cell death pathways induced by photodynamic therapy (PDT).
  • To update information on paraptosis as a PDT response.
  • To explore novel cell death mechanisms following ER photodamage.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on PDT and subcellular targeting.
  • Analysis of cell death mechanisms including apoptosis, autophagy, and paraptosis.
  • Focus on ER photodamage and its unique cellular responses.

Main Results:

  • Photodamage to various organelles can initiate distinct cell death routes.
  • ER photodamage can trigger paraptosis, characterized by cytoplasmic vacuole formation.
  • Paraptosis is a novel cell death mode linked to misfolded ER proteins.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding specific cell death pathways is crucial for optimizing PDT anti-tumor strategies.
  • Paraptosis represents an emerging and significant PDT-induced cell death mechanism.
  • Targeting the ER offers a unique approach to photokilling via paraptosis.

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