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Yang JK, Kwon H, Kim S. Recent advances in light-triggered cancer immunotherapy. J Mater Chem B 2024; 12:2650-2669. [PMID: 38353138 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb02842a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Light-triggered phototherapies, such as photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT), have shown strong therapeutic efficacy with minimal invasiveness and systemic toxicity, offering opportunities for tumor-specific therapies. Phototherapies not only induce direct tumor cell killing, but also trigger anti-tumor immune responses by releasing various immune-stimulating factors. In recent years, conventional phototherapies have been combined with cancer immunotherapy as synergistic therapeutic modalities to eradicate cancer by exploiting the innate and adaptive immunity. These combined photoimmunotherapies have demonstrated excellent therapeutic efficacy in preventing tumor recurrence and metastasis compared to phototherapy alone. This review covers recent advancements in combined photoimmunotherapy, including photoimmunotherapy (PIT), PDT-combined immunotherapy, and PTT-combined immunotherapy, along with their underlying anti-tumor immune response mechanisms. In addition, the challenges and future research directions for light-triggered cancer immunotherapy are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Kyoung Yang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Dong-eui University, Busan, 47340, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hayoon Kwon
- Chemical & Biological integrative Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea.
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Sehoon Kim
- Chemical & Biological integrative Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea.
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
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Anzengruber F, Avci P, de Freitas LF, Hamblin MR. T-cell mediated anti-tumor immunity after photodynamic therapy: why does it not always work and how can we improve it? Photochem Photobiol Sci 2015; 14:1492-1509. [PMID: 26062987 PMCID: PMC4547550 DOI: 10.1039/c4pp00455h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses the combination of non-toxic photosensitizers and harmless light to generate reactive oxygen species that destroy tumors by a combination of direct tumor cell killing, vascular shutdown, and activation of the immune system. It has been shown in some animal models that mice that have been cured of cancer by PDT, may exhibit resistance to rechallenge. The cured mice can also possess tumor specific T-cells that recognize defined tumor antigens, destroy tumor cells in vitro, and can be adoptively transferred to protect naïve mice from cancer. However, these beneficial outcomes are the exception rather than the rule. The reasons for this lack of consistency lie in the ability of many tumors to suppress the host immune system and to actively evade immune attack. The presence of an appropriate tumor rejection antigen in the particular tumor cell line is a requisite for T-cell mediated immunity. Regulatory T-cells (CD25+, Foxp3+) are potent inhibitors of anti-tumor immunity, and their removal by low dose cyclophosphamide can potentiate the PDT-induced immune response. Treatments that stimulate dendritic cells (DC) such as CpG oligonucleotide can overcome tumor-induced DC dysfunction and improve PDT outcome. Epigenetic reversal agents can increase tumor expression of MHC class I and also simultaneously increase expression of tumor antigens. A few clinical reports have shown that anti-tumor immunity can be generated by PDT in patients, and it is hoped that these combination approaches may increase tumor cures in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Anzengruber
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pinar Avci
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Dermatooncology and Venerology, Semmelweis University School of Medicine, Budapest, 1085, Hungary
| | - Lucas Freitas de Freitas
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Programa de Pos Graduacao Interunidades Bioengenharia – USP – Sao Carlos, Brazil
| | - Michael R Hamblin
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Correspondence to: Michael R Hamblin, PhD, Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 50 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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Milla Sanabria L, Rodríguez ME, Cogno IS, Rumie Vittar NB, Pansa MF, Lamberti MJ, Rivarola VA. Direct and indirect photodynamic therapy effects on the cellular and molecular components of the tumor microenvironment. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2012; 1835:36-45. [PMID: 23046998 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2012.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2012] [Revised: 09/28/2012] [Accepted: 10/01/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a novel cancer treatment. It involves the activation of a photosensitizer (PS) with light of specific wavelength, which interacts with molecular oxygen to generate singlet oxygen and other reactive oxygen species (ROS) that lead to tumor cell death. When a tumor is treated with PDT, in addition to affect cancer cells, the extracellular matrix and the other cellular components of the microenvironment are altered and finally this had effects on the tumor cells survival. Furthermore, the heterogeneity in the availability of nutrients and oxygen in the different regions of a tridimensional tumor has a strong impact on the sensitivity of cells to PDT. In this review, we summarize how PDT affects indirectly to the tumor cells, by the alterations on the extracellular matrix, the cell adhesion and the effects over the immune response. Also, we describe direct PDT effects on cancer cells, considering the intratumoral role that autophagy mediated by hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) has on the efficiency of the treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Milla Sanabria
- Department of Molecular Biology, National University of Río Cuarto, Río Cuarto (5800), Córdoba, Argentina
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Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising novel therapeutic procedure for the management of a variety of solid tumors and many non-malignant diseases. PDT has been described as having a significant effect on the immune system, which may be either immunostimulatory or, in some circumstances, immunosuppressive. The immunosuppressive effects of PDT have nearly all been concerned with the suppression of the contact hypersensitivity reaction in mice. Here, we review the immunosuppressive aspects of PDT treatment and discuss some additional mechanisms that may be involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawel Mroz
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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Garg AD, Nowis D, Golab J, Agostinis P. Photodynamic therapy: illuminating the road from cell death towards anti-tumour immunity. Apoptosis 2010; 15:1050-71. [PMID: 20221698 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-010-0479-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 214] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) utilizes the destructive power of reactive oxygen species generated via visible light irradiation of a photosensitive dye accumulated in the cancerous tissue/cells, to bring about their obliteration. PDT activates multiple signalling pathways in cancer cells, which could give rise to all three cell death modalities (at least in vitro). Simultaneously, PDT is capable of eliciting various effects in the tumour microenvironment thereby affecting the tumour-associated/-infiltrating immune cells and by extension, leading to infiltration of various immune cells (e.g. neutrophils) into the treated site. PDT is also associated to the activation of different immune phenomena, e.g. acute-phase response, complement cascade and production of cytokines/chemokines. It has also come to light that, PDT is capable of activating 'anti-tumour adaptive immunity' in both pre-clinical as well as clinical settings. Although the ability of PDT to induce 'anti-cancer vaccine effect' is still debatable, yet it has been shown to be capable of inducing exposure/release of certain damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) like HSP70. Therefore, it seems that PDT is unique among other approved therapeutic procedures in generating a microenvironment suitable for development of systemic anti-tumour immunity. Apart from this, recent times have seen the emergence of certain promising modalities based on PDT like-photoimmunotherapy and PDT-based cancer vaccines. This review mainly discusses the effects exerted by PDT on cancer cells, immune cells as well as tumour microenvironment in terms of anti-tumour immunity. The ability of PDT to expose/release DAMPs and the future perspectives of this paradigm have also been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek D Garg
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium
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Ratkay LG, Waterfield JD, Hunt DW. Photodynamic therapy in immune (non-oncological) disorders: focus on benzoporphyrin derivatives. BioDrugs 2009; 14:127-35. [PMID: 18034564 DOI: 10.2165/00063030-200014020-00006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
This review examines the efficacy of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of immunological disorders. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a 2-step procedure. Firstly, a photosensitiser is introduced into the body, where it accumulates selectively in cells with elevated metabolism, such as cancer cells or activated cells of the immune system. Second, light is applied at a wavelength that excites the photosensitiser, producing a variety of short-lived oxygen-derived species. The effect is dependent on the doses of both photosensitiser and activating light. The mechanisms of action of PDT are multifactorial. Induction of high levels of oxidative stress results in necrotic cell death, while lower intensity oxidative stress initiates apoptosis. Sublethal doses may result in the modification of cell surface receptor expression levels and cytokine release and consequently influence cell behaviour. Immunomodulatory PDT (IPDT) utilises mainly apoptotic and sublethal doses. The studies reported here utilise verteporfin, a benzoporphyrin-derived chlorin-like photosensitiser. Veteporfin is a second generation photosensitiser, displaying rapid clearance and consequently a reduced period of skin photosensitivity compared with the first generation photosensitiser, porfimer sodium. In vivo studies showed that IPDT was effective in alleviating immunopathology in murine models of arthritis, contact hypersensitivity, experimental allergic encephalomyelitis and retention of allogeneic skin grafts. Based on these findings, early stage clinical trials with IPDT were initiated recently for the treatment of psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. While verteporfin has been the photosensitiser which pioneered IPDT, a new benzoporphyrin derivative photosensitiser, QLT0074, is under development. This has demonstrated an enhanced avidity for target cells as well as improved clearance characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- L G Ratkay
- QLT Inc, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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Hayami J, Okamoto H, Sugihara A, Horio T. Immunosuppressive effects of photodynamic therapy by topical aminolevulinic acid. J Dermatol 2007; 34:320-7. [PMID: 17408441 DOI: 10.1111/j.1346-8138.2007.00280.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been used for inflammatory skin disorders as well as superficial skin cancers such as solar keratosis and Bowen's disease. Whether PDT with topical application of aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and exposure to visible light has a similar immunosuppressive action to ultraviolet phototherapy was investigated using a murine contact hypersensitivity (CHS) model. The number of epidermal Langerhans cells (LC) was decreased with their morphological changes 1 day after PDT with the minimal level at 5 days and gradual recovery thereafter. Conversely, the number of CD11c(+) I-A(+) cells was significantly increased in the draining lymph nodes after PDT. This suggests that LC moved from PDT-treated skin, resulting in the decrement of epidermal LC and migration to lymph nodes. CHS response to DNFB applied on the PDT-treated skin with 20% ALA and 40 J/cm(2) visible light was significantly suppressed (local immunosuppression). When mice were treated with 80 J/cm(2) of PDT, CHS response to the antigen applied on untreated distant skin was also significantly suppressed (systemic immunosuppression). The locally or systemically immunosuppressed mice by PDT were attempted to sensitize again with DNFB on non-treated skin, but elicitation responses were significantly suppressed. However, these mice were able to be sensitized with another hapten, oxasolone. Thus, a hapten-specific immunological unresponsiveness (tolerance) was induced in mice by topical ALA-PDT. These findings suggest that PDT has a potential immunological contribution to clinical efficacy for inflammatory diseases identical to ultraviolet phototherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junji Hayami
- Department of Dermatology, Kansai Medical University, Moriguchi, Osaka, Japan.
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8
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Bavandi A, Fahrngruber H, Aschauer H, Hartmann B, Meingassner JG, Kalthoff FS. Pimecrolimus and tacrolimus differ in their inhibition of lymphocyte activation during the sensitization phase of contact hypersensitivity. J Dermatol Sci 2006; 43:117-26. [PMID: 16806841 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2006.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2005] [Revised: 03/31/2006] [Accepted: 04/03/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As reported previously, oral administration of the calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) pimecrolimus and tacrolimus resulted in equipotent inhibition of the elicitation phase of contact hypersensitivity (CHS) in mice. The sensitization phase was inhibited by tacrolimus but was unaffected by pimecrolimus, even at higher doses. OBJECTIVE The kinetics of lymph node hyperplasia and up-regulation of T and B cell activation antigens were analyzed to obtain a better understanding of the divergent CNI profile in CHS. METHODS Lymph node (LN) cells of CNI-untreated and treated mice were examined with flow cytometry at various time points after sensitization with oxazolone. LN hyperplasia and drug levels were also determined. RESULTS Sensitization induced a higher portion of LN cells expressing the activation antigens CD25, CD69 and CD134 and an increase in activated B cells (B220(+)/CD40(+)) compared to naïve mice. Up-regulation of these markers was completely or profoundly blocked with tacrolimus, whereas pimecrolimus at the three-fold higher dose caused significantly less inhibition. Tacrolimus also completely blocked the sensitization-associated increase of CD11c(+) antigen presenting cells (APC) in LN, whereas pimecrolimus showed significantly less inhibition. In contrast to tacrolimus, LN weight and cellularity were not affected by pimecrolimus at any time point after sensitization. Concentration of tacrolimus in blood and in the draining LN substantially exceeded that of pimecrolimus by factors 6.7-14 and 5.6-5.8, respectively, at the same dose levels. CONCLUSION In contrast to tacrolimus, systemic treatment of mice with pimecrolimus only weakly interferes with lymphocyte activation and does not affect hyperplasia of the draining lymph nodes during sensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Bavandi
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Brunnerstrasse 59, A 1235 Vienna, Austria
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9
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The influence of photodynamic therapy on the immune response. Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther 2005; 2:283-98. [DOI: 10.1016/s1572-1000(05)00098-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2005] [Revised: 09/13/2005] [Accepted: 09/14/2005] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Abstract
In its conventional form, photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a clinically effective technique with which to treat tumours accessible to visible light. PDT utilises light absorbing compounds which catalyse the generation of toxic oxygen species, to produce localised antitumour effects. It has become apparent over the past decade that PDT also exhibits immunomodulatory attributes. Experimental animals may possess heightened antitumour immunity after tumour ablation with PDT. In contrast, at sub-phototoxic levels of photosensitiser, in combination with whole body light irradiation, PDT lessened disease severity when applied in different models of autoimmunity. Although the behaviour of lymphocytes may be affected by treatment, the ability of PDT to down-regulate autoimmune processes appears to be related to its capacity to influence the immunostimulatory attributes of antigen presenting cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- D W Hunt
- QLT PhotoTherapeutics, Inc., 520 West 6th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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11
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Kyagova AA, Mansurova GV, Kozir LA, Ponomarev GV, Pavlov VY, Konstantinov IO, Potapenko AY. Systemic Suppression of the Contact Hypersensitivity by the Products of Protoporphyrin IX Photooxidation. Photochem Photobiol 2005; 81:1380-5. [PMID: 16080780 DOI: 10.1562/2005-04-26-ra-500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is frequently accompanied by induction of systemic immunosuppression. Photochemical mechanisms underlying this effect are not completely understood. Here, we demonstrate the immunosuppressive activity of photooxidation products of protoporphyrin IX dimethyl ester (PPIX) in a murine model of contact hypersensitivity (CHS) to 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). Intravenous injection of the preirradiated solution of PPIX to mice resulted in fluence-dependent suppression of the CHS. The samples of photodecomposed PPIX with suppressive effect on the CHS contained chlorin-type products, namely, two isomers of photoprotoporphyrin (pPP1 and pPP2) as main photoproducts. Concentration-dependent suppression of the CHS was also induced when purified pPP1 or pPP2 were injected to mice intravenously. These purified photoproducts exerted equal immunosuppressive activity. The highest suppression of the CHS was induced when pPP1 was injected 20 h before sensitization with DNFB. The lowest suppression was at its injection time 24 h before challenge. The pPP1-induced suppression of the CHS was adoptively transferable and was associated with generation of cells with suppressive functions. These suppressor cells inhibited the efferent phase of the CHS. Our results strongly indicate that induction of systemic immunosuppression by PDT with PPIX may proceed through photobleaching of photosensitizer and generation of photoprotoporphyrins, which can affect T cell immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alla A Kyagova
- Russian State Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation.
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12
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Canti G, De Simone A, Korbelik M. Photodynamic therapy and the immune system in experimental oncology. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2002; 1:79-80. [PMID: 12659153 DOI: 10.1039/b109007k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gianfranco Canti
- Dept. of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Milano, Via Vanvitelli 32, 20129 Milano, Italy.
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13
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Hunt DW, Chan AH. Influence of photodynamic therapy on immunological aspects of disease - an update. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2000; 9:807-17. [PMID: 11060711 DOI: 10.1517/13543784.9.4.807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) utilises light-absorbing compounds combined with directed photo-irradiation to produce clinical effects. This review updates advances in the understanding of the biochemical pathways triggered by PDT within cells, its influence upon different immune parameters and progress in the use of PDT against human immune-mediated disease. Several works have further defined the notable capacity of PDT to foster anticancer immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- D W Hunt
- QLT PhotoTherapeutics, Inc., 887 Great Northern Way, Vancouver, British Columbia V5T 4T5, Canada.
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14
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Simkin GO, Tao JS, Levy JG, Hunt DW. IL-10 contributes to the inhibition of contact hypersensitivity in mice treated with photodynamic therapy. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2000; 164:2457-62. [PMID: 10679082 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.164.5.2457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
We have explored the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin on the induction and expression of contact hypersensitivity (CHS) to 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) in normal mice and IL-10-deficient mice. Our results indicate that DNFB sensitized mice given PDT with verteporfin and whole body red light irradiation exhibited a significant reduction in CHS compared with control animals. Administration of rIL-12 reversed the effect(s) of PDT as did treatment of mice with anti-IL-10-neutralizing Ab. Knockout mice deficient in IL-10 were found to be resistant to the inhibitory effects of PDT. In vitro proliferative responses using spleen cells from DNFB-sensitized and PDT-treated mice showed a significantly lower response to DNBS as compared with cells from DNFB-sensitized mice or DNFB and PDT-treated IL-10-deficient mice. Finally, naive mice exposed to PDT exhibited an increase in skin IL-10 levels, which peaked between 72 and 120 h post-PDT. Together these data support the role of IL-10 as a key modulator in the inhibition of the CHS response by whole body PDT.
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Affiliation(s)
- G O Simkin
- QLT PhotoTherapeutics Inc., Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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15
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Fuchs J, Weber S, Kaufmann R. Genotoxic potential of porphyrin type photosensitizers with particular emphasis on 5-aminolevulinic acid: implications for clinical photodynamic therapy. Free Radic Biol Med 2000; 28:537-48. [PMID: 10719235 DOI: 10.1016/s0891-5849(99)00255-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses exogenously administered photosensitizers activated by light to induce cell death or modulation of immunological cascades, presumably via formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). 5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) mediated photosensitization is increasingly used for the treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancer and other indications including benign skin disorders. Long-term side effects of this investigational modality are presently unknown. Just as tumor treatments such as ionizing radiation and chemotherapy can cause secondary tumor induction, PDT may potentially have a carcinogenic risk. Evaluation of the biological effects of ALA in absence of activating light and analysis of the mechanism of ALA-PDT and porphyrin-type photosensitizers mediated photosensitization indicate that this therapy has a pro-oxidant and genotoxic potential. However, porphyrin type molecules also possess antioxidant and antimutagenic properties. ALA-PDT delays photocarcinogenesis in mice, and topical ALA alone does not increase skin cancer incidence in these animals. Patients with increased tissue levels of ALA have an increased incidence of internal carcinoma, however, it is not clear whether this relationship is casual or causal. There is no evidence indicating higher rates of skin cancer in patients with photosensitivity diseases due to presence of high protoporphyrin IX (PP) levels in skin. Overall, the presently available data indicate that the risk for secondary skin carcinoma after topical ALA-PDT seems to be low, but further studies must be carried out to evaluate the carcinogenic risk of ALA-PDT in conditions predisposed to skin cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Fuchs
- Department of Dermatology, Medical School, J. W. Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
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Honey CR, Obochi MO, Shen H, Margaron P, Yip S, Levy JG. Reduced xenograft rejection in rat striatum after pretransplant photodynamic therapy of murine neural xenografts. J Neurosurg 2000; 92:127-31. [PMID: 10616091 DOI: 10.3171/jns.2000.92.1.0127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECT The goal of this study was to develop a method of reducing neural xenograft rejection by pretreating the graft with photodynamic therapy (PDT). METHODS Xenograft cell suspensions were prepared from fetal mouse mesencephalon, after which they were incubated for 30 minutes with various concentrations of a photosensitizer, verteporfin for injection, and light exposure. The xenograft cell suspensions were injected into the dopamine-depleted striata of 40 hemiparkinsonian rats assigned to different treatment groups. Four weeks after transplantation, xenograft function (determined by methamphetamine-induced rotation) and survival (determined by immunohistochemical staining for murine neurons) were compared. Group 1 animals (xenografts pretreated with 25 ng/ml verteporfin) and Group 3 animals (no verteporfin pretreatment, but daily administration of cyclosporin A) had significantly better xenograft survival and function compared with control animals (no pretreatment with verteporfin). Group 2 animals (xenografts pretreated with 250 ng/ml verteporfin) had no significant improvement. CONCLUSIONS This work demonstrates improved neural xenograft survival and function when using pretransplant PDT of the graft in a rodent model. The potential benefits of this new therapy are its convenience (one pretransplant treatment) and its compatibility with host immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- C R Honey
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
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17
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Jiang H, Granville DJ, McManus BM, Levy JG, Hunt DW. Selective depletion of a thymocyte subset in vitro with an immunomodulatory photosensitizer. Clin Immunol 1999; 91:178-87. [PMID: 10227810 DOI: 10.1006/clim.1999.4695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Conventional photodynamic therapy (PDT) utilizes light-absorbing compounds that have anti-cancer activity upon visible light irradiation. PDT has also been utilized for the treatment of certain immune conditions. To further understand the action of PDT upon immune cells, DBA/2 mouse thymocytes were treated with the photosensitizer benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid ring A (BPD-MA, verteporfin) and/or an apoptosis-inducing anti-Fas (APO-1, CD95) monoclonal antibody. Nanomolar levels of BPD-MA in combination with nonthermal visible light irradiation rapidly induced apoptosis as gauged by DNA fragmentation assays. Thymocytes were modestly more sensitive to PDT-induced apoptosis than mature splenic T cells. BPD-MA and light or the anti-Fas antibody decreased CD4(+)CD8(+) cell numbers while relatively sparing CD4(-)CD8(-), CD4(+)CD8(-), and CD4(-)CD8(+) thymocytes. In combination, anti-Fas antibody and PDT augmented activity levels of the apoptosis-related protease caspase-3, cleavage of the caspase-3 substrate poly(ADP) polymerase, and the proportion of cells exhibiting DNA fragmentation and further impacted CD4(+)CD8(+) thymocyte survival. Although CD4(+)CD8(+) thymocytes had the greatest sensitivity to photodynamic depletion, BPD-MA was taken up by the other major thymocyte subsets with equal or greater avidity. Since CD4(+)CD8(+) thymocytes are selectively impacted by PDT and anti-Fas antibody can act in concert with PDT to further cytotoxicity, thymocytes may be useful for the identification of factors that govern immune cell susceptibility to this form of phototherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Jiang
- QLT PhotoTherapeutics, Inc., 520 West 6th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z 4H5, Canada
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18
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Hunt DW, Jiang H, Granville DJ, Chan AH, Leong S, Levy JG. Consequences of the photodynamic treatment of resting and activated peripheral T lymphocytes. IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY 1999; 41:31-44. [PMID: 9950267 DOI: 10.1016/s0162-3109(98)00051-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The impact of the immunomodulatory photosensitizer benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid ring A (BPD-MA, verteporfin) and visible light on the survival and surface receptor pattern of resting and activated murine T cells was evaluated. T cells treated for 48 h with immobilized anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody upregulated expression of the interleukin-2 receptor alpha-chain (CD25), transferrin receptor (CD71), the apoptosis-regulating Fas receptor (CD95), contained a greater level of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and accumulated significantly more BPD-MA than their unactivated counterparts. Activated T cells displayed a modestly greater susceptibility to the photodynamic induction of DNA fragmentation than resting T cells. Resting T cells treated with sub-lethal levels of BPD-MA and light did not exhibit changes in surface levels of CD3, CD4, CD8, CD28, CD45 or T cell receptor (TCR) beta-chain structures. However, levels of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigens were decreased while the density of Thy-1.2 (CD90) increased on these cells. Photodynamically treated T cells failed to express optimal CD25 levels when exposed to the mitogenic anti-CD3 antibody. Activated T cells treated with sub-lethal levels of BPD-MA and light exhibited lower CD25 levels, a temporary block in cell cycle transition, but unaltered expression of MHC Class I, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD45, CD54, CD71, CD122 (IL-2R beta-chain) or TCR beta-chain antigens 24 h afterward. Resting and activated T lymphocytes differ in susceptibility to PDT-mediated apoptosis but both types are sensitive to anti-proliferative effects the treatment exerts at sub-lethal photosensitizer levels. The marked sensitivity of activated T cells to photodynamic inactivation likely contributes to the immunomodulatory action of BPD-MA.
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Affiliation(s)
- D W Hunt
- QLT Photo Therapeutics, Vancouver, B.C., Canada.
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Ratkay LG, Chowdhary RK, Iamaroon A, Richter AM, Neyndorff HC, Keystone EC, Waterfield JD, Levy JG. Amelioration of antigen-induced arthritis in rabbits by induction of apoptosis of inflammatory cells with local application of transdermal photodynamic therapy. ARTHRITIS AND RHEUMATISM 1998; 41:525-34. [PMID: 9506581 DOI: 10.1002/1529-0131(199803)41:3<525::aid-art19>3.0.co;2-i] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the efficacy and mechanism of local transdermal photodynamic therapy (tPDT) in rabbits with antigen-induced arthritis (AIA). METHODS AIA in rabbits on day 14 postinduction was treated with an intravenous injection of benzoporphyrin-derivative monoacid ring A (BPD; Verteporfin) and subsequent transdermal exposure of the knee joint to light. BPD uptake and PDT-induced apoptosis of the synovium was studied applying fluorescence confocal microscopy and immunohistochemistry. The (histo)pathology of the joints was assessed at day 28. RESULTS Treatment with tPDT resulted in significant amelioration of synovial inflammation and an almost complete prevention of pannus formation and bone and cartilage destruction. BPD uptake was detectable in activated T cells and macrophages, and there was significant PDT-induced increase in the number of apoptotic cells in the synovium. CONCLUSION Because photodynamic therapy is both specific and noninvasive, our findings suggest that it could be used for treating arthritic joints in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- L G Ratkay
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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