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An improved in vitro photochemical internalization protocol for 3D spheroid cultures
Lina Nguyen1, Steen J Madsen2, Kristian Berg3
1Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, University of California, Irvine 1002 Health Sciences Rd, Irvine, CA, USA. Linanguyen824@gmail.com.
Lasers in Medical Science
|June 29, 2021
Summary
A modified photochemical internalization (PCI) protocol, involving early photosensitizer incubation, showed no significant difference in efficacy compared to conventional PCI for glioma treatment. However, the modified approach reduced direct photodynamic therapy (PDT) effects.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Photochemistry
Background:
- Photochemical internalization (PCI) is an advanced photodynamic therapy (PDT) technique.
- PCI enhances therapeutic agent delivery site-specifically and temporally.
- Existing protocols often involve photosensitizer exposure after spheroid formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a modified PCI protocol using a 3D rat glioma spheroid model.
- To compare the efficacy of bleomycin and doxorubicin PCI with conventional and modified protocols.
- To assess the impact of early photosensitizer incubation on PCI effectiveness.
Main Methods:
- F98 glioma cells were incubated with AlPcS2a photosensitizer before spheroid generation (modified protocol).
- Conventional protocol involved post-spheroid formation photosensitizer exposure.
- Spheroids were treated with bleomycin or doxorubicin via PCI and exposed to 670 nm laser light.
- Spheroid growth was monitored for 14 days.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant difference in PCI efficacy was observed between conventional and modified protocols for both drugs.
- The modified protocol significantly reduced the direct photodynamic therapy (PDT) effect.
- Spheroid growth inhibition was comparable across both PCI protocols.
Conclusions:
- The modified PCI protocol demonstrates comparable efficacy to the conventional method in this glioma spheroid model.
- The modified protocol offers advantages, including a reduced direct PDT effect.
- This modified protocol is recommended for future evaluations of PCI in tumor spheroid models.
