Photoactive imaging and therapy for colorectal cancer using a CEA-Affimer conjugated Foslip nanoparticle.

Theranostic nanoparticles hold promise for simultaneous imaging and therapy in colorectal cancer. Carcinoembryonic antigen can be used as a target for these nanoparticles because it is overexpressed in most colorectal cancers. Affimer reagents are synthetic proteins capable of binding specific targets, with additional advantages over antibodies for targeting. We fabricated silica nanoparticles using a water-in-oil microemulsion technique, loaded them with the photosensitiser Foslip, and functionalised the surface with anti-CEA Affimers to facilitate fluorescence imaging and photodynamic therapy of colorectal cancer. CEA-specific fluorescence imaging and phototoxicity were quantified in colorectal cancer cell lines and a LS174T murine xenograft colorectal cancer model. Anti-CEA targeted nanoparticles exhibited CEA-specific fluorescence in the LoVo, LS174T and HCT116 cell lines when compared to control particles (p < 0.0001). No toxicity was observed in LS174T cancer mouse xenografts or other organs. Following photo-irradiation, the anti-CEA targeted particles caused significant cell death in LoVo (60%), LS174T (90%) and HCT116 (70%) compared to controls (p < 0.0001). Photodynamic therapy (PDT) at 24 h in vivo showed a 4-fold reduction in tumour volume compared to control mouse xenografts (p < 0.0001). This study demonstrates the efficacy of targeted fluorescence imaging and PDT using Foslip nanoparticles conjugated to anti-CEA Affimer nanoparticles in in vitro and in vivo colorectal cancer models.

Enhancing photodynamic therapy efficacy through silica nanoparticle-mediated delivery of temoporfin for targeted in vitro breast cancer treatment.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT), an approach to cancer treatment, relies fundamentally on two key elements: a light source and a photosensitizing agent. A primary challenge in PDT is the efficient delivery of photosensitizers to the target tissue, hindered by the body's reticuloendothelial system (RES). Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs), known for their unique properties, emerge as ideal carriers in this context. In this study, SiNPs are utilized to encapsulate Temoporfin, a photosensitizer, aiming to enhance its delivery and reduce toxicity, particularly for treating MCF-7 cancer cells in vitro. The synthesized SiNPs were meticulously characterized by their size and shape using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The study also involved evaluating the cytotoxicity of both encapsulated and naked Temoporfin across various concentrations. The objective was to determine the ideal concentration and exposure duration using red laser light (intensity approximately 110 mW/cm2) to effectively eradicate MCF-7 cells. The findings revealed that Temoporfin, when encapsulated in SiNPs, demonstrated significantly greater effectiveness compared to its naked form, with notable improvements in concentration efficiency (50 %) and exposure time efficiency (76.6 %). This research not only confirms the superior effectiveness of encapsulated Temoporfin in eliminating cancer cells but also highlights the potential of SiNPs as an efficient drug delivery system in photodynamic therapy. This sets the groundwork for more advanced strategies in cancer treatment.

Comparative response to PDT with methyl-aminolevulinate and temoporfin in cutaneous and oral squamous cell carcinoma cells.

Cutaneous and Head and Neck squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC, HNSCC) are among the most prevalent cancers. Both types of cancer can be treated with photodynamic therapy (PDT) by using the photosensitizer Temoporfin in HNSCC and the prodrug methyl-aminolevulinate (MAL) in CSCC. However, PDT is not always effective. Therefore, it is mandatory to correctly approach the therapy according to the characteristics of the tumour cells. For this reason, we have used cell lines of CSCC (A431 and SCC13) and HNSCC (HN5 and SCC9). The results obtained indicated that the better response to MAL-PDT was related to its localization in the plasma membrane (A431 and HN5 cells). However, with Temoporfin all cell lines showed lysosome localization, even the most sensitive ones (HN5). The expression of mesenchymal markers and migratory capacity was greater in HNSCC lines compared to CSCC, but no correlation with PDT response was observed. The translocation to the nucleus of ß-catenin and GSK3ß and the activation of NF-κß is related to the poor response to PDT in the HNSCC lines. Therefore, we propose that intracellular localization of GSK3ß could be a good marker of response to PDT in HNSCC. Although the molecular mechanism of response to PDT needs further elucidation, this work shows that the most MAL-resistant line of CSCC is more sensitive to Temoporfin.

Effectiveness of photodynamic therapy on treatment response and survival in patients with recurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: This systematic review assessed the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in patients with recurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). METHODS: Clinical studies on recurrent OSCC treated with PDT alone were included. Combined treatment strategies were excluded. The search was performed on Medline/Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science and ClinicalTrials.gov, manual search, and grey literature. RESULTS: The eleven included studies were observational. The risk of bias and methodological quality were evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. The studies reported the use of hematoporphyrin derivative, PhotofrinⓇ, FoscanⓇ and 5-aminolevulinic acid. Data on treatment response and survival was collected. Secondarily, postoperative courses and patient's quality of life/acceptance were reported whenever available. PhotofrinⓇ and FoscanⓇ were the most used photosensitisers, with more complete responses. Lesions responding less favourably were on posterior regions or deep-seated in the tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Although treatment response differs between treatment protocols, PDT stands as a viable treatment option to be considered, as it can achieve therapeutic results and disease-free, long-lasting periods. Partial treatment responses may be of interest when achieving eligibility for other treatment strategies. Despite this study's limitations, which considered four photosensitisers, PhotofrinⓇ was the most used but more recent photosensitisers like FoscanⓇ have greater chemical stability, tissue penetration, and may be more efficacious on recurrent OSCC.

Ação fotodinamica de meso-porfirinas sobre função mitocondrial e viabilidade de celulas LNCaP / Photodynamic action of mesoporphyrins on mitochondrial functions and LNCaP cell viability

A ação das meso-porfirinas catiônica Fe(III)TMPyP e aniônica Fe(III)TPPS4 sobre a função mitocondrial e viabilidade de células de tumor de próstata LNCaP foi investigada. O tratamento das suspensões mitocondriais com 1 µM de Fe(III)TMPyP por 2 minutos e 45 segundos no escuro diminuiu o controle respiratório mitocondrial (C.R.) em 3%. A irradiação potencializou este efeito, induzindo uma queda no C.R. em 28%. A porfirina aniônica Fe(III)TPPS4, nas mesmas condições experimentais, não provocou efeito significativo algum. Ambas porfirinas aumentaram a produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROs) na presença de Ca2+; o efeito de Fe(III)TMPyP foi significativamente maior. Esta porfirina catiônica, porém não a aniônica, promoveu o fenômeno de transição de permeabilidade mitocondrial (TPM), sensível à ciclosporina A (CsA). Além disso, Fe(III)TMPyP apresentou uma constante de associação (Kb) com mitocôndrias 11 vezes maior que Fe(III)TPPS4, provavelmente devido às interações eletroestáticas entre a porfirina catiônica e a membrana mitocondrial interna, carregada negativamente. Observou-se também que ambas porfirinas diminuíram a viabilidade de células tumorais de maneira dose-dependente, apresentando um IC50 de aproximadamente 15 µM, após 48 h de incubação no escuro. Tratando as células com a dose de 10 µM para cada porfirina e um tempo menor de exposição no escuro (1 h), observou-se efeito...

The action of irradiated cationic Fe(III)TMPyP and anionic Fe(III)TPPS4 forms of mesoporphyrins on mitochondrial functions was investigated using experimental conditions that caused minimal effects on mitochondria in the dark. Treatment of mitochondria with 1 µM Fe(III)TMPyP for 2 min decreased the respiratory control by 3% in the dark and 28% after irradiation. Fe(III)TPPS4 (1 µM) had no significant effect on respiratory control under any of the above conditions. Both porphyrins increased mitochondrial production of reactive oxygen species in the presence of Ca2+; however, the effect of Fe(III)TMPyP was significantly stronger. Fe(III)TMPyP but not Fe(III)TPPS4 promoted cyclosporin A-sensitive mitochondrial permeability transition. It was also observed that the association constant of Fe(III)TMPyP with mitochondria was 11 times higher than Fe(III)TPPS4. In conclusion, the damage to isolated mitochondria induced by Fe(III)TMPyP under illumination was larger than by Fe(III)TPPS4, probably because its cationic charge favors association with the mitochondrial membrane. The citotoxic effect of both porphyrins, prior the irradiation and upon the cell viability were dose-dependent and the IC50 were approximatly 15 µM...