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Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Vitamin C (VC), also known as ascorbic acid, plays a crucial role as a water-soluble nutrient within the human body, contributing to a variety of metabolic processes.... (Review)
Review
Vitamin C (VC), also known as ascorbic acid, plays a crucial role as a water-soluble nutrient within the human body, contributing to a variety of metabolic processes. Research findings suggest that increased doses of VC demonstrate potential anti-tumor capabilities. This review delves into the mechanisms of VC absorption and its implications for cancer management. Building upon these foundational insights, we explore modern delivery systems for VC, evaluating its use in diverse cancer treatment methods. These include starvation therapy, chemodynamic therapy (CDT), photothermal/photodynamic therapy (PTT/PDT), electrothermal therapy, immunotherapy, cellular reprogramming, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and various combination therapies.
Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Humans; Neoplasms; Photochemotherapy; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Combined Modality Therapy
PubMed: 38792156
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29102295 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a non-invasive anticancer treatment that uses special photosensitizer molecules (PS) to generate singlet oxygen and other reactive oxygen...
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a non-invasive anticancer treatment that uses special photosensitizer molecules (PS) to generate singlet oxygen and other reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a tissue under excitation with red or infrared light. Though the method has been known for decades, it has become more popular recently with the development of new efficient organic dyes and LED light sources. Here we introduce a ternary nanocomposite: water-soluble star-like polymer/gold nanoparticles (AuNP)/temoporfin PS, which can be considered as a third-generation PDT system. AuNPs were synthesized in situ inside the polymer molecules, and the latter were then loaded with PS molecules in an aqueous solution. The applied method of synthesis allows precise control of the size and architecture of polymer nanoparticles as well as the concentration of the components. Dynamic light scattering confirmed the formation of isolated particles (120 nm diameter) with AuNPs and PS molecules incorporated inside the polymer shell. Absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopies revealed optimal concentrations of the components that can simultaneously reduce the side effects of dark toxicity and enhance singlet oxygen generation to increase cancer cell mortality. Here, we report on the optical properties of the system and detailed mechanisms of the observed enhancement of the phototherapeutic effect. Combinations of organic dyes with gold nanoparticles allow significant enhancement of the effect of ROS generation due to surface plasmonic resonance in the latter, while the application of a biocompatible star-like polymer vehicle with a dextran core and anionic polyacrylamide arms allows better local integration of the components and targeted delivery of the PS molecules to cancer cells. In this study, we demonstrate, as proof of concept, a successful application of the developed PDT system for in vitro treatment of triple-negative breast cancer cells under irradiation with a low-power LED lamp (660 nm). We consider the developed nanocomposite to be a promising PDT system for application to other types of cancer.
Topics: Gold; Photochemotherapy; Metal Nanoparticles; Photosensitizing Agents; Humans; Acrylic Resins; Cell Line, Tumor; Singlet Oxygen; Reactive Oxygen Species; Porphyrins; Cell Survival; Polymers; Antineoplastic Agents
PubMed: 38792086
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29102224 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024Small interfering RNA (siRNA) has significant potential as a treatment for cancer by targeting specific genes or molecular pathways involved in cancer development and...
Small interfering RNA (siRNA) has significant potential as a treatment for cancer by targeting specific genes or molecular pathways involved in cancer development and progression. The addition of siRNA to other therapeutic strategies, like photodynamic therapy (PDT), can enhance the anticancer effects, providing synergistic benefits. Nevertheless, the effective delivery of siRNA into target cells remains an obstacle in cancer therapy. Herein, supramolecular nanoparticles were fabricated via the co-assembly of natural histone and hyaluronic acid for the co-delivery of HMGB1-siRNA and the photosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6) into the MCF-7 cell. The produced siRNA-Ce6 nanoparticles (siRNA-Ce6 NPs) have a spherical morphology and exhibit uniform distribution. In vitro experiments demonstrate that the siRNA-Ce6 NPs display good biocompatibility, enhanced cellular uptake, and improved cytotoxicity. These outcomes indicate that the nanoparticles constructed by the co-assembly of histone and hyaluronic acid hold enormous promise as a means of siRNA and photosensitizer co-delivery towards synergetic therapy.
Topics: Hyaluronic Acid; Humans; RNA, Small Interfering; Photosensitizing Agents; Nanoparticles; Histones; MCF-7 Cells; Photochemotherapy; Porphyrins; Chlorophyllides; Cell Survival
PubMed: 38791462
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105424 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024Acne vulgaris is a common dermatological condition that can present across different ages but predominantly affects adolescents and young adults. Characterized by... (Review)
Review
Acne vulgaris is a common dermatological condition that can present across different ages but predominantly affects adolescents and young adults. Characterized by various lesion types, the pathogenesis of acne is complex, involving genetic, hormonal, microbial, and inflammatory factors. This review comprehensively addresses current and emerging acne management strategies, emphasizing both topical and systemic treatments, procedural therapies, and dietary modifications. Key topical agents include retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics, and other specialized compounds. Systemic options like antibiotics, hormonal therapies, and retinoids offer significant therapeutic benefits, particularly for moderate to severe cases. Procedural treatments such as laser devices, photodynamic therapy, chemical peels, and intralesional injections present viable alternatives for reducing acne symptoms and scarring. Emerging therapies focus on novel biologics, bacteriophages, probiotics, and peptides, providing promising future options. This review underscores the importance of personalized approaches to treatment due to the multifaceted nature of acne, highlighting the potential of innovative therapies for improving patient outcomes.
Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Humans; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Dermatologic Agents; Retinoids; Photochemotherapy
PubMed: 38791344
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105302 -
Journal of Controlled Release :... Jul 2024Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most lethal cancers among women. Frequent recurrence in the peritoneum due to the presence of microscopic tumor residues justifies the...
Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most lethal cancers among women. Frequent recurrence in the peritoneum due to the presence of microscopic tumor residues justifies the development of new therapies. Indeed, our main objective is to develop a targeted photodynamic therapy (PDT) treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis from OC to improve the life expectancy of cancer patients. Herein, we propose a targeted-PDT using a vectorized photosensitizer (PS) coupled with a newly folic acid analog (FAA), named PS, in order to target folate receptor alpha (FRα) overexpressed on peritoneal metastasis. This PS was the result of the coupling of pyropheophorbide-a (Pyro-a), as the PS, to a newly synthesized FAA via a polyethylene glycol (PEG) spacer. The selectivity and the PDT efficacy of PS was evaluated on two human OC cell lines overexpressing FRα compared to fibrosarcoma cells underexpressing FRα. Final PS, including the synthesis of a newly FAA and its conjugation to Pyro-a, was obtained after 10 synthesis steps, with an overall yield of 19%. Photophysical properties of PS in EtOH were performed and showed similarity with those of free Pyro-a, such as the fluorescence and singlet oxygen quantum yields (Φ = 0.39 and Φ = 0.53 for free Pyro-a, and Φ = 0.26 and Φ = 0.41 for PS). Any toxicity of PS was noticed. After light illumination, a dose-dependent effect on PS concentration and light dose was shown. Furthermore, a PDT efficacy of PS on OC cell secretome was detected inducing a decrease of a pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion (IL-6). This new PS has shown promising biological properties highlighting the selectivity of the therapy opening new perspectives in the treatment of a cancer in a therapeutic impasse.
Topics: Photochemotherapy; Humans; Ovarian Neoplasms; Female; Photosensitizing Agents; Folic Acid; Cell Line, Tumor; Chlorophyll; Interleukin-6; Cell Death; Folate Receptor 1; Inflammation; Cell Survival
PubMed: 38789088
DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.05.033 -
Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy Feb 2024For malignant glioma, intraoperative photodynamic therapy (PDT) using talaporfin sodium is a powerful tool for local tumor control, when gross total removal is...
BACKGROUND
For malignant glioma, intraoperative photodynamic therapy (PDT) using talaporfin sodium is a powerful tool for local tumor control, when gross total removal is performed. However, the efficacy of PDT for non-totally resectable malignant glioma has not been clearly confirmed. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to clarify the usefulness of PDT using talaporfin sodium for non-totally resectable malignant glioma.
METHODS
Eighteen patients with malignant glioma (16 new onset, 2 recurrent) in whom gross total removal was judged to be difficult from the images obtained before surgery were evaluated. Fifteen patients had glioblastoma (14 newly diagnosed, 1 recurrent), and 3 patients had anaplastic oligodendroglioma (2 newly diagnosed, 1 recurrent). The whole resection cavity was subjected to PDT during the surgery. For newly diagnosed glioblastoma, postoperative therapy involved the combined use of radiation and temozolomide. Bevacizumab treatment was also started at an early stage after surgery.
RESULTS
In some patients, reduction of the residual tumor was observed at an early stage of chemoradiotherapy after the surgery, suggesting the positive effect of PDT. Recurrence occurred in 15 of the 18 patients during the course of treatment. Distant recurrence occurred in 8 of these 15 patients, despite good local tumor control. In the 14 patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma, the median progression-free survival was almost 10.5 months, and the median overall survival was almost 16.9 months.
CONCLUSIONS
PDT for malignant glioma is expected to slightly improve local tumor control for non-totally resectable lesions.
Topics: Humans; Photochemotherapy; Male; Female; Photosensitizing Agents; Porphyrins; Middle Aged; Glioma; Aged; Adult; Brain Neoplasms; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Temozolomide
PubMed: 38787766
DOI: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2023.103869 -
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science Sep 2024Whilst the development of advanced organic dots with aggregation-induced emission characteristics (AIE-dots) is being intensively studied, their clinical translation in...
Whilst the development of advanced organic dots with aggregation-induced emission characteristics (AIE-dots) is being intensively studied, their clinical translation in efficient biotherapeutic devices has yet to be tackled. This study explores the synergistic interplay of oligo(styryl)benzenes (OSBs), potent fluorogens with an increased emission in the aggregate state, and Indocyanine green (ICG) as dual Near Infrared (NIR)-visible fluorescent nanovesicles with efficient reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation capacity for cancer treatment using photodynamic therapy (PDT). The co-loading of OSBs and ICG in different nanovesicles has been thoroughly investigated. The nanovesicles' physicochemical properties were manipulated via molecular engineering by modifying the structural properties of the lipid bilayer and the number of oligo(ethyleneoxide) chains in the OSB structure. Diffusion Ordered Spectroscopy (DOSY) NMR and spectrofluorometric studies revealed key differences in the structure of the vesicles and the arrangement of the OSB and ICG in the bilayer. The in vitro assessment of these OSB-ICG nanovesicles revealed that the formulations can increase the temperature and generate ROS after photoirradiation, showing for the first time their potential as dual photothermal/photodynamic (PTT/PDT) agents in the treatment of prostate cancer. Our study provides an exciting opportunity to extend the range of applications of OSB derivates to potentiate the toxicity of phototherapy in prostate and other types of cancer.
Topics: Male; Humans; Prostatic Neoplasms; Liposomes; Reactive Oxygen Species; Photochemotherapy; Indocyanine Green; Photosensitizing Agents; Particle Size; Fluorescent Dyes; Cell Survival; Benzene Derivatives; Optical Imaging; Quantum Dots; Surface Properties; Molecular Structure
PubMed: 38776693
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.05.042 -
ACS Applied Bio Materials Jun 2024Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and cannabidiol (CBD) have been explored for their potential in synergistic cancer treatment. In this study, we employed CBD oil as a lipid...
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and cannabidiol (CBD) have been explored for their potential in synergistic cancer treatment. In this study, we employed CBD oil as a lipid phase, encapsulated within to create lipid-based nanoparticles. Here, CBD oil does two tasks: it acts as a pyroptosis agent to destroy liver cancer cells and as a lipid phase to dissolve the photosensitizer. It was expected that this system would offer synergistic therapy between CBD and PDT better than a single use of each treatment. With a series of experiments, the nanoparticles exhibited induced apoptosis in 68% of HepG2 cells treated with and near-infrared (NIR)-light irradiation, reducing expression levels of antioxidant defense system genes. Furthermore, both components worked well in a submicromolar range when combined in our formulation. These results highlight the potential for amplifying primary cellular damage with the combination of PDT and CBD encapsulation, providing a promising therapeutic approach for liver cancer treatment guidelines.
Topics: Humans; Photochemotherapy; Cannabidiol; Hep G2 Cells; Liver Neoplasms; Particle Size; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; Photosensitizing Agents; Biocompatible Materials; Boron Compounds; Materials Testing; Apoptosis; Cell Survival; Antineoplastic Agents; Cell Proliferation; Nanoparticles
PubMed: 38776245
DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.4c00239 -
Lasers in Medical Science May 2024Tooth discoloration is a common concern in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) using various photosensitizers (PS). Toluidine Blue (TB), Methylene Blue (MB),...
BACKGROUND
Tooth discoloration is a common concern in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) using various photosensitizers (PS). Toluidine Blue (TB), Methylene Blue (MB), Phthalocyanine (Pc), and 2-mercaptopyridine-substituted zinc phthalocyanine (TM-ZnPc) are among those studied, but their relative impacts on tooth discoloration remain unclear.
AIM
This study aimed to compare the effects of TB, MB, Pc, and TM-ZnPc in aPDT on tooth discoloration, utilizing a controlled experimental setup.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study comprised seventy-five single-rooted incisors with root canals. Following meticulous preparation, a standardized area on the crown surface was designated for examination, and precise measurements of the initial tooth colors were recorded. Samples were randomly divided into five groups: Negative control, MB, TM, Pc, and TM-ZnPc. Photoactivation was performed using LED light, and color measurements were taken at multiple time points up to 90 days. Data were converted to Lab* color values of the CIE Lab* color system (International Commission on Illumination, Vienna, Austria), and ΔE values were calculated. Statistical analysis was performed using Two-way ANOVA and Post-Hoc Tukey tests (p < 0.05).
RESULTS
At day 7 and 30, TM-ZnPc and Pc caused less discoloration compared to MB and TB. TM-ZnPc caused more tooth discoloration compared to Pc (p < 0.05). Compared to baseline, MB and TM-ZnPc caused more tooth discoloration at 30 days and TB caused more tooth discoloration at 90 days (p < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in terms of tooth discoloration at all periods evaluated after Pc application (p > 0.05). All photosensitizers tested in the study caused tooth coloration.
CONCLUSION
All PS induced clinically detectable tooth discoloration, with TB and MB causing more significant discoloration compared to Pc and TM-ZnPc at certain time points. TM-ZnPc and Pc demonstrated more stable coloration levels over time, suggesting their potential reliability in aPDT applications. This study highlights the importance of selecting appropriate PS to minimize tooth discoloration in aPDT, with Pc showing promise in this regard.
Topics: Photochemotherapy; Photosensitizing Agents; Humans; Tooth Discoloration; Tolonium Chloride; Methylene Blue; Spectrophotometry; Isoindoles; Zinc Compounds; Indoles; Organometallic Compounds
PubMed: 38771549
DOI: 10.1007/s10103-024-04085-0 -
Current Microbiology May 2024The fungus Monascus is a well-known source of secondary metabolites with interesting pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. In particular, Monascus pigments...
The fungus Monascus is a well-known source of secondary metabolites with interesting pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. In particular, Monascus pigments possess a wide range of biological activities (e.g. antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory or antitumoral). To broaden the scope of their possible application, this study focused on testing Monascus pigment extracts as potential photosensitizing agents efficient in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) against bacteria. For this purpose, eight different extracts of secondary metabolites from the liquid- and solid-state fermentation of Monascus purpureus DBM 4360 and Monascus sp. DBM 4361 were tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative model bacteria, Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli and further screened for ESKAPE pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. To the bacterial culture, increasing concentration of extracts was added and it was found that all extracts showed varying antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria in dark, which was further increased after irradiation. Gram-negative bacteria were tolerant to the extracts' exposure in the dark but sensitivity to almost all extracts that occurred after irradiation. The Monascus sp. DBM 4361 extracts seemed to be the best potential candidate for aPDT against Gram-positive bacteria, being efficient at low doses, i.e. the lowest total concentration of Monascus pigments exhibiting aPDT effect was 3.92 ± 1.36 mg/L for E. coli. Our results indicate that Monascus spp., forming monascuspiloin as the major yellow pigment and not-forming mycotoxin citrinin, is a promising source of antimicrobials and photoantimicrobials.
Topics: Monascus; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Mycelium; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Photosensitizing Agents; Biological Products; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Complex Mixtures; Pigments, Biological; Photochemotherapy
PubMed: 38771359
DOI: 10.1007/s00284-024-03725-6