Human pancreatic carcinoma cells are sensitive to photodynamic therapy in vitro and in vivo

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Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to assess the efficiency of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on human pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and in an animal model. Methods: Human pancreatic tumour cell lines were submitted to PDT with pheophorbide a (Ph a) a chlorophyll derivative, in culture and after grafting into athymic mice. Ph a was tested in culture (10−10−10–5 mol/l) with a 5-J/cm2 energy treatment and on tumour-bearing Nude mice (30 mg/kg intraperitoneally) with a 100-J/cm2 PDT session. The effect of PDT was assessed in vitro using proliferative, apoptotic and clonogenic tests and in vivo on tumour growth and on the induction of tumour necrosis. Results: PDT inhibited tumour cell growth in culture by affecting DNA integrity. This tumour cell photodamage started at low concentration (10−7 mol/l) as corroborated by clonogenic and tumour growth tests. A strong necrosis was achieved in vivo with a single PDT session. Conclusion: PDT destroyed human pancreatic carcinoma after low photosensitizer supply and weak energy application. It exerted this tumoricidal effect via apoptosis induction with a gentle protocol, and apoptosis and/or necrosis with a stronger protocol.