title: Intracellular metabolism, subcellular localization and phototoxicity of HMME/HB in ovarian cancer cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is considered a promising new strategy for ovarian cancer treatment. As the key component in PDT, photosensitizer metabolism and localization in cancer cells is particularly important.
  
  
  METHODS
  The localization of the photosensitizers hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether (HMME) and hypocrellin B (HB) were determined in the ovarian cancer cell lines SKOV3 and NuTu-19 by fluorescence microscopy and laser scanning confocal microscopy(LSCM). A JD801 image analysis system was used to analyze the fluorescence intensity of the photosensitizers in the cells. The phototoxicity of both drugs to the cancer cells was determined by MTT assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both photosensitizers were mainly distributed in the cytoplasm. Drug uptake reached a peak after 4 h incubation with HB and after 3 h incubation with HMME. Within a certain range, the higher the concentration, the stronger the fluorescence became and at 40 μg/ml, the intracellular photosensitizer had reached saturation. Based on these results PDT was applied to SKOV3 cells. All the cells were killed when the photosensizer dose reached 40 μg/ml.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PDT is an effective therapy for ovarian cancer cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Ji'nan 250012, Shandong Province, P.R. China. songkun2001226@yahoo.com.cn
authors.forename: Kun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Peihai
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Geng
authors.forename: Ruifen
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Qifeng
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Xun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Qu
authors.forename: Beihua
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kong
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005260:Female; D006415:Hematoporphyrins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D042541:Intracellular Space / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D008027:Light; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D010569:Perylene / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D011809:Quinones / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity*; D013347:Subcellular Fractions / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006415:Hematoporphyrins; D011809:Quinones; C494379:hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether; D010569:Perylene; C064522:hypocrellin B