Electric Field-Assisted Delivery of Photofrin to Human Breast Carcinoma Cells

Abstract

The influence of electroporation on the Photofrin uptake and distribution was evaluated in the breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF-7) and normal Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) lacking voltage-dependent channels in vitro. Photofrin was used at a concentration of 5 and 25 μM. The uptake of Photofrin was assessed using flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy methods. Cells viability was evaluated with crystal violet assay. Our results indicated that electropermeabilization of cells, in the presence of Photofrin, increased the uptake of the photosensitizer. Even at the lowest electric field intensity (700 V/cm) Photofrin transport was enhanced. Flow cytometry results for MCF-7 cells revealed ~1.7 times stronger fluorescence emission intensity for cells exposed to Photofrin and electric field of 700 V/cm than cells treated with Photofrin alone. Photofrin was effective only when irradiated with blue light. Our studies on combination of photodynamic reaction with electroporation suggested improved effectiveness of the treatment and showed intracellular distribution of Photofrin. This approach may be attractive for cancer treatment as enhanced cellular uptake of Photofrin in MCF-7 cells can help to reduce effective dose of the photosensitizer and exposure time in this type of cancer, diminishing side effects of the therapy.

On thein vivophotochemical rate parameters for PDT reactive oxygen species modeling

“…Spectra are taken from (Wezgowiec et al , 2013), (Aveline et al , 1994), and (Kim et al , 2007) with permission.…”

The photodynamic effect of far-red range phthalocyanines (AlPc and Pc green) supported by electropermeabilization in human gastric adenocarcinoma cells of sensitive and resistant type

“…According to the literature, the PDT should be effective (cause 308 the death of cells) only after combination of all its components: 309 upon activation of the photosensitizer radiation [9,12,13]. In this 310 studies, we prove that the selected phthalocyanines: aluminum preferring them to well-tested Photofrin.…”

“…The action of photosensitizer highly depends on its location 371 inside the cell [9,12]. The phthalocyanines applied in this study 372…”

Involvement of Bim in Photofrin-Mediated Photodynamically Induced Apoptosis

“…To enhance localization of Photofrin to tumors, the tumor-localizing graft copolymer poly (ethylene glycol)-grafted poly (l-lysine) have been developed, which interact with Photofrin through ionic and hydrophobic interactions [29]. Electric field-assisted delivery of photofrin, electroporation, to the breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF-7) and normal Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) has been found to enhance cellular uptake of Photofrin, which reduces effective dose and exposure time diminishing side effects of the therapy [30]. The efficacy of PDT is also affected by combining with some other drugs, such as Celecoxib, Dihydroartemisinin (DHA), and microRNAs (miRs), which regulate either the signaling pathway or gene expression in some cancer cell lines [31,32,33].…”