title: The potential role of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of malignant melanoma--an in vitro study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Melanoma is the most severe of skin neoplasms as it may grow rapidly and metastasize. The application of photodynamic therapy (PDT) opens up new prospects in the treatment of this tumor. Numerous studies suggest that the exposure of tumor cells to PDT can lead to cellular and molecular mechanisms which mediate oxidative stress in cells.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro the influence of photodynamic therapy on the human melanoma Me45 cell line.
  
  
  METHODS
  Photofrin (Ph) was used as a photosensitizer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Viability studies have shown that there are significant differences between cells after PDT and cells without irradiation. After 24 hours of incubation with a 20 microg/ml concentration of Ph and with irradiation, less than 20% of the cells survived. In the control (without PDT), 65% of the cells survived.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The mitochondrial localization of Ph is significant, as it may lead to disturbances of mitochondrial transmembrane potential and finally to apoptotic cell death. The expressions of manganese superoxide dismutase and heme oxygenase and the level of carbonyl and thiol groups are indicating factors for oxidative stress in Me45 cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biochemistry, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland. awawrzuta@gmail.com
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Choromańska
authors.forename: Jolanta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Saczko
authors.forename: Julita
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kulbacka
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Skolucka
authors.forename: Michał
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Majkowski
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D017323:Dihematoporphyrin Ether / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051547:Heme Oxygenase-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D050050:Protein Carbonylation / Q000187:drug effects; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D017323:Dihematoporphyrin Ether; C496541:HMOX1 protein, human; D051547:Heme Oxygenase-1; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase