Effects of verteporfin-mediated photodynamic therapy in breast cancer cells

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy works with a photosensitizer that is stimulated when exposed to a light source of a specific wavelength and produces a form of oxygen that can be used in cancer treatments. In this study, we investigated the effect of laser on apoptosis on breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231) treated with verteporfin in cell culture media. Verteporfin added MDA-MB-231 cells were incubated without light for 24 hours after applying laser light at a wavelength of 695 nm at an intensity of 50 J/cm2 at various times. Anti-proliferative effects were evaluated by immunoreactivity of anti-Bcl-2 and anti-Bax antibodies by immunocytochemical staining. When anti-Bax/Anti-Bcl-2 ratio are compared, the ratio of 1.5 in the control group cells decreases in short-term laser applications, while it approaches normal values in the 7th min after long-term laser application and reaches a very high value in the 9th min. Therefore, our results suggest that verteporfin-mediated PDT may be a potential combined therapy strategy against breast carcinoma by increasing apoptosis.