Photodynamic therapy of cervical cancer by eradication of cervical cancer cells and cervical cancer stem cells

Elvin Peter Chizenga, Rahul Chandran, Heidi Abrahamse

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The heterogeneous nature of cancer puts cancer stem cells (CSCs) at the beating heart of the tumour. Because of their inherent characteristics of stemness, CSCs evade putative cancer therapies, resulting in treatment resistance or tumour recurrence after a seemingly successful treatment. To prevent treatment resistance and cancer recurrence, killing the beating heart of the tumour is of utmost importance. This study therefore, sought to determine the effect of Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) in eradicating cervical cancer and cervical CSCs. Cervical CSCs were isolated from a cervical adenocarcinoma cell line, HeLa cells, and grown in liquid medium incubated at 37° C, 5% CO2 and 85% humidity. Increasing doses of AlPcSmix photosensitizer were administered to both the total cell population and the isolated CSCs, and irradiated using 673.2 nm diode laser. Post-irradiation cellular changes were observed using biochemical assays and microscopy to determine the response of both the total cell population and the CSCs. Results showed a dose-dependent response of both cell populations to treatment, by demonstration of significant morphologic changes, increased cytotoxicity, and decreased cell viability and proliferation. The study suggested that PDT using AlPcSmix is a very effective treatment method for the eradication of cervical cancer cells and cervical CSCs, in vitro.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4380-4396
Number of pages17
JournalOncotarget
Volume10
Issue number43
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2019

Keywords

  • Cancer resistance
  • Cancer stem cells
  • Cervical cancer
  • Photodynamic therapy
  • Photosensitizer

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Photodynamic therapy of cervical cancer by eradication of cervical cancer cells and cervical cancer stem cells'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this