Latest Innovations and Nanotechnologies with Curcumin as a Nature-Inspired Photosensitizer Applied in the Photodynamic Therapy of Cancer

Abstract

In the context of the high incidence of cancer worldwide, state-of-the-art photodynamic therapy (PDT) has entered as a usual protocol of attempting to eradicate cancer as a minimally invasive procedure, along with pharmacological resources and radiation therapy. The photosensitizer (PS) excited at certain wavelengths of the applied light source, in the presence of oxygen releases several free radicals and various oxidation products with high cytotoxic potential, which will lead to cell death in irradiated cancerous tissues. Current research focuses on the potential of natural products as a superior generation of photosensitizers, which through the latest nanotechnologies target tumors better, are less toxic to neighboring tissues, but at the same time, have improved light absorption for the more aggressive and widespread forms of cancer. Curcumin incorporated into nanotechnologies has a higher intracellular absorption, a higher targeting rate, increased toxicity to tumor cells, accelerates the activity of caspases and DNA cleavage, decreases the mitochondrial activity of cancer cells, decreases their viability and proliferation, decreases angiogenesis, and finally induces apoptosis. It reduces the size of the primary tumor, reverses multidrug resistance in chemotherapy and decreases resistance to radiation therapy in neoplasms. Current research has shown that the use of PDT and nanoformulations of curcumin has a modulating effect on ROS generation, so light or laser irradiation will lead to excessive ROS growth, while nanocurcumin will reduce the activation of ROS-producing enzymes or will determine the quick removal of ROS, seemingly opposite but synergistic phenomena by inducing neoplasm apoptosis, but at the same time, accelerating the repair of nearby tissue. The latest curcumin nanoformulations have a huge potential to optimize PDT, to overcome major side effects, resistance to chemotherapy, relapses and metastases. All the studies reviewed and presented revealed great potential for the applicability of nanoformulations of curcumin and PDT in cancer therapy.

Curcumin Loaded Nanocarriers with Varying Charges Augmented with Electroporation Designed for Colon Cancer Therapy

“…In general, curcumin characterizes unsatisfactory biodistribution and tends to degrade; thus, new multifunctional nanosystems are highly required. The encapsulation process of curcumin causes its better intracellular distribution, targeting rate, and increased cytotoxic and anticancer effects [49]. In this study, we proposed novel multifunctional nanosystems with possible oral (anionic), transdermal (neutral), or injectable applications (cationic).…”

Linarin, a Glycosylated Flavonoid, with Potential Therapeutic Attributes: A Comprehensive Review

“…Cancer is one of the major causes of death worldwide, affecting more than 14.1 million people worldwide [111]. Over the past few years, attention has been paid to find potent natural products as anticancer therapeutic agents [79,112,113].…”

Von der Laserakupunktur zur Photobiomodulation — Highlights der Grundlagenforschung

“…Im Zusammenhang mit der weltweit hohen Karzinominzidenz bietet sich die hochmoderne PDT als eine Möglichkeit neben pharmakologischen Ressourcen und der Strahlentherapie an, der Krankheit mit einem minimalinvasiven Verfahren entgegenzuwirken [ 8 ]. Der bei bestimmten Wellenlängen der verwendeten Lichtquelle angeregte PS setzt in Gegenwart von Sauerstoff mehrere freie Radikale und verschiedene Oxidationsprodukte mit hohem zytotoxischem Potenzial frei, die im bestrahlten Krebsgewebe zum Zelltod führen.…”

“…Nanocurcumin hat eine höhere intrazelluläre Absorption, eine höhere Targeting-Rate, eine erhöhte Toxizität für Tumorzellen, beschleunigt die Aktivität von Caspasen und die DNA-Spaltung, verringert die mitochondriale Aktivität von Krebszellen, verringert ihre Lebensfähigkeit und Proliferation, verringert die Angiogenese und induziert schließlich Apoptose. Es reduziert die Größe des Primärtumors, kann die Resistenz gegen mehrere Medikamente bei der Chemotherapie umkehren und verringert die Resistenz gegen die Strahlentherapie bei Neoplasien [ 8 ]. Nanocurcumin hat ein enormes Potenzial zur Optimierung der PDT, zur Überwindung schwerer Nebenwirkungen, Chemotherapieresistenz, Schübe und Metastasen.…”

“…Zahlreiche Studien zeigen großes Potenzial für die Anwendbarkeit von Nanocurcumin und PDT in der Krebstherapie ( Abb. 6 ) [ 8 ].…”