Multifunctional 5-aminolevulinic acid prodrugs activating diverse cell-death pathways

Three Decades of Photodynamic Therapy for Glioblastoma: A Comprehensive Scientometric Analysis

BACKGROUND

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a promising adjunctive treatment for glioblastoma (GBM), yet a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of this field is lacking. This study explores research trends, major contributors, and hotspots in PDT for GBM to provide an integrated overview of its development.

METHODS

Literature from 1993 to 2024 was retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Bibliometric tools, including CiteSpace, analyzed publication trends, collaborations, and keyword co-occurrence to identify influential authors, institutions, and journals.

RESULTS

A total of 799 publications showed a growing research interest, peaking in 2022. The United States and China were leading contributors, with prominent institutions like the University of California System and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique. Influential figures, such as Jiro Akimoto and Walter Stummer, advanced clinical applications and fluorescence-guided techniques. Early studies of PDT for GBM have focused on evaluating its efficacy and potential side effects, while recent research has transitioned toward innovative strategies like targeted drug delivery, nanotechnology, and combination therapies. However, the similarities between early and recent studies are in the search for safe and reliable photosensitizers. Keyword analysis highlighted "5-aminolevulinic acid", "in vitro", and "polyethylene glycol compounds" as key areas, while timeline analysis revealed shifts from foundational photosensitizer research to approaches addressing tumor heterogeneity and resistance.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides a systematic overview of PDT research for GBM, spotlighting breakthroughs and collaborative networks. The findings emphasize the importance of innovation and clinical translation to fully realize PDT's potential in GBM therapy.

ALA-PDT successfully treated Majocchi's granuloma by directly killing Trichophyton tonsurans and recruiting T lymphocytes

BACKGROUND

Majocchi's granuloma (MG) is a deep persistent suppurative granulomatous perifolliculitis which might be caused by Trichophyton tonsurans (T. tonsurans). Conventional treatment for MG is oral administration of systematic antifungal drugs, associated with a low cure rate and a high relapse rate. ALA-PDT is a new approach for fungal infection.

METHODS

A case of refractory MG was treated by 3 times of ALA-PDT. At the same time, T. tonsurans strains isolated from the lesions of the patient were used for an in vitro inhibition experiment and an in vivo experiment in guinea pig model to furtherly verify the effectiveness and investigate the mechanism of ALA-PDT for T. tonsurans.

RESULTS

After 3 times of ALA-PDT, the lesions of MG were eliminated. And the mycological and pathological examination showed a disappearance of fungi in follicles. In vitro and in vivo experiment both demonstrated that ALA-PDT could obviously inhibit the growth of T. tonsurans partly by directly destroying the structure of fungal cells and recruiting CD4 + T cells.

CONCLUSION

ALA-PDT is a potentially effective noninvasive method for the treatment of MG with mechanisms of direct killing and with CD4⁺ T cell-mediated immune response.

Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation on Glioma: Systematic Review

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most aggressive primary brain tumor. Treatment is largely palliative, with current strategies unable to prevent inevitable tumor recurrence. Implantable micro-electromechanical systems are becoming more feasible for the management of several human diseases. These systems may have a role in detecting tumor recurrence and delivering localized therapies. One potential therapeutic tool is ultraviolet (UV) light. This systematic review assesses the effects of UV light on glioma cells. A total of 47 publications are included. The large majority were in vitro experiments conducted on human glioblastoma cell lines in monolayer. In these cells, UV light was shown to induce apoptosis and the expression of genes or activation of proteins that modulate cell death, repair, and proliferation. The nature and magnitude of cellular response varied by UV wavelength, dose, cell line, and time after irradiation. UVC (wavelength 100-280 nm) was most effective at inducing apoptosis, and this effect was dose dependent. The included studies had varied methodologies, complicating reconciliation of results. Further work will be required to determine the best regime of UV irradiation for therapeutic use. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 4063-4071, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Synthesis and evaluation of new 5-aminolevulinic acid derivatives as prodrugs of protoporphyrin for photodynamic therapy

Upon light activation, 13a can induce the production of PpIX in vivo which produces ROS and other reactive oxygen species to lead to the apoptosis of S180 cell tumors.

Acylation or phosphorylation of hydroxyurea unexpectedly takes place on N rather than on O, leading to the formation of amides instead of the expected esters

Attempted acylation of the anticancer agent hydroxyurea (HU) with acyl chlorides or anhydrides led to acylation on the NH group rather than on the OH.

Oncologic photodynamic therapy: clinical strategies that modulate mechanisms of action

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an elegant minimally invasive oncologic therapy. The clinical simplicity of photosensitizer (PS) drug application followed by appropriate illumination of target leading to the oxygen dependent tumor ablative Photodynamic Reaction (PDR) has gained this treatment worldwide acceptance. Yet the true potential of clinical PDT has not yet been achieved. This paper will review current mechanisms of action and treatment paradigms with critical commentary on means to potentially improve outcome using readily available clinical tools.

Aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-protoporphyrin IX fluorescence guided tumour resection. Part 2: theoretical, biochemical and practical aspects

The importance of the extent of resection for gliomas, and the utility of aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and protoporphyrin IX fluorescence in increasing the extent of resection, has become increasingly evident over the past decade. This review continues from Part 1 and focuses on the biochemical mechanisms by which ALA ingestion leads to tumour fluorescence, and discusses practicalities of the equipment and techniques needed to introduce ALA and fluorescence guided resection into neurosurgical practice.