Pheophorbide a-mediated sonodynamic, photodynamic and sonophotodynamic therapies against prostate cancer
Mehran Aksel1, Ozlem Bozkurt-Girit1, Mehmet Dincer Bilgin1
1Department of Biophysics, Aydın Adnan Menderes University, Aydın, Turkey.
Abstract:
Anticancer efficiencies and mechanisms of Pheophorbide-a-mediated photodynamic, sonodynamic and sonophotodynamic therapies were investigated in vitro using androgen-sensitive (LNCaP) and androgen insensitive (PC3) prostate cancer cell lines. The cells were incubated in RPMI-1640 media at various concentrations of Pheophorbide-a. The media was treated with 0.5 W/cm2 ultrasound and/or 0.5 mJ/cm2 light irradiation. Cell proliferation in both cell lines was inhibited most effectively by sonophotodynamic therapy in comparison to that of both monotherapies. LNCaP cells were more sensitive to the applied treatments and the cell survival in LNCaP cell line was observed to be less than that of PC3 cell line. The results of histochemical analysis showed that there were more apoptotic cells in the treatment groups in comparison to control group. Additionally, the treatments induced apoptosis deduced by the overexpressed levels of caspase-3, caspase-8, PARP, and Bax proteins, while the expression levels of caspase-9 and Bcl-2 proteins were observed to be lower than those of control group. Treatments led to an increase in the oxidative stress markers, ROS and MDA, but a decrease in the activities of antioxidant enzymes, SOD, CAT and GSH. The results of this study revealed that Pheophorbide a-mediated sonophotodynamic therapy more efficiently activates the apoptotic mechanisms in prostate cancer cells and thus may provide a promising approach for treatment.
Insights
Pheophorbide-a sonophotodynamic therapy shows superior anticancer effects against prostate cancer cells by inducing apoptosis. This combined approach is more effective than monotherapies, offering a promising treatment strategy.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Oncology
- Photochemistry
Background:
- Prostate cancer remains a significant health concern, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
- Current treatments have limitations, driving research into alternative and combinational therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anticancer efficacy of Pheophorbide-a-mediated photodynamic, sonodynamic, and sonophotodynamic therapies.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of these therapies in prostate cancer cells.
Main Methods:
- In vitro investigation using androgen-sensitive (LNCaP) and androgen-insensitive (PC3) prostate cancer cell lines.
- Treatment with varying concentrations of Pheophorbide-a combined with ultrasound and/or light irradiation.
- Analysis of cell proliferation, apoptosis markers (caspase-3, -8, -9, PARP, Bax, Bcl-2), oxidative stress (ROS, MDA), and antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD, CAT, GSH).
Main Results:
- Sonophotodynamic therapy demonstrated the most effective inhibition of cell proliferation compared to monotherapies.
- LNCaP cells exhibited higher sensitivity to treatments than PC3 cells.
- Treatments significantly increased apoptosis, elevated oxidative stress markers, and decreased antioxidant enzyme activity.
Conclusions:
- Pheophorbide-a-mediated sonophotodynamic therapy potently induces apoptosis in prostate cancer cells.
- This combined therapy presents a promising therapeutic approach for prostate cancer treatment.
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