5-ALA Photodynamic Ablation of Fibroblsatic Sift-Tissues Tumors

Novel ꞵ-carboline/cyanoisoflavone photosensitizers for ferroptosis-induced efficient chemo-photodynamic synergistic cancer therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an emerging therapeutic modality to selectively eradicate pathological cells, such as cancer cells. Hence, we designed and synthesized a series of novel ꞵ-carboline/cyanoisoflavone photosensitizers A1-A3. All compounds possessed potent type-I/-II photodynamic properties. Especially, the optimized compound A2 produced large amounts of •O2-, •OH, and 1O2 under irradiation, and exhibited a higher quantum yield of singlet oxygen (ΦΔ = 0.92) than others. Furthermore, A2 not only exhibited potent cytotoxicity in HT29 cells, but also demonstrated prominent chemo-photodynamic effects with IC50 values of 3.9-4.1 μM under normoxic and hypoxic conditions in HT29 cells, while exhibited minimal toxicity to normal cells, suggesting its tumor-selective and hypoxia-tolerant efficacy. Most importantly, A2 significantly promoted mitochondrial damage and ferroptosis, through depleting GSH/GPX-4 levels and increasing malondialdehyde (MDA) expression. Finally, in vivo studies showed that A2 achieved a high colonic tumor-inhibitory rate of 84.6 % through chemo-photodynamic therapy. These findings provide a promising framework for the development of novel photosensitizers for chemo-photodynamic therapy.

In vitro modeling of recurrent Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans: Assessment of 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy efficacy

BACKGROUND

Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans (DFSP) is a rare, low-grade malignant tumor of the dermis with a high recurrence rate post-surgery. Current treatments, including surgery, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy, have limitations. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is a promising non-invasive approach, but its efficacy in DFSP treatment remains underexplored.

METHODS

This study aimed to evaluate the anti-tumor efficacy of 5-ALA PDT using an in vitro model derived from a recurrent DFSP patient. The cells were treated with varying concentrations of 5-ALA and exposed to red light, followed by assessments of cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, and expression of DFSP-related genes and proteins.

RESULTS

5-ALA PDT significantly reduced DFSP cell viability in a dose-dependent manner and induced apoptosis. It also effectively inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, as well as suppressed angiogenic activity in conditioned media. Furthermore, 5-ALA PDT downregulated the expression of COL1A1 and PDGFRB, key genes in DFSP pathogenesis.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings provide the first evidence of 5-ALA PDT's in vitro anti-tumor efficacy against DFSP, suggesting its potential as a novel therapeutic approach for DFSP. Further studies are warranted to explore the clinical utility of 5-ALA PDT in preventing DFSP recurrence.

Advances in photodynamic therapy of pathologic scar

Pathologic scars include keloids and hypertrophic scars due to abnormal wound healing. Both cause symptoms of itching and pain; they also affect one's appearance and may even constrain movement. Such scars place a heavy burden on the individual's physical and mental health; moreover, treatment with surgery alone is highly likely to leave more scarring. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a treatment that is both minimally invasive and convenient. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an emerging safe and noninvasive technology wherein photosensitizers and specific light sources are used to treat malignant tumors and skin diseases. Research on PDT from both the laboratory and clinic has been reported. These findings on the treatment of pathologic scars using photosensitizers, light sources, and other mechanisms are reviewed in the present article.