title: Effect of Photofrin-mediated photocytotoxicity on a panel of human pancreatic cancer cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Pancreatic cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and women. Early clinical studies suggest that photodynamic therapy (PDT) might be a useful modality in the management of this deadly disease. In this study, the photocytotoxicity of Photofrin-mediated PDT on different human pancreatic cancer cells (BxPc-3, HPAF-II, Mia PaCa-2, MPanc-96, PANC-1 and PL-45) was examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  After co-incubating cancer cells with Photofrin (0-10 μg/ml) for 4h, the cells were irradiated with 0-6J/cm(2) of 630 nm light. The effect of Photofrin PDT on the survival of cells were examined using tetrazolium-based colorimetric assay and clonogenic assay. PDT-induced apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. Expressions of apoptosis-related proteins were determined by western blot analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Photofrin PDT strongly inhibited the survival of pancreatic cancer cells. A small portion of cells (<15%) underwent apoptosis 24h after PDT at LD50. Cleavage of caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9 and PARP after PDT were also confirmed. BxPc-3, Mia PaCa-2, MPanc-96, and PANC-1 cells were more sensitive and HPAF-II and PL-45 cells less sensitive.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Photofrin PDT can induce apoptosis and inhibit survival of human pancreatic cancer cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Changhai Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.|Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA.|Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Luo-Wei
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Zheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Changhai Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Han
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Changhai Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Zhao-Shen
authors.initials: ZS
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Fred
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hetzel
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Bolin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Liu Md
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D017323:Dihematoporphyrin Ether / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D017323:Dihematoporphyrin Ether
keywords: Apoptosis; Pancreatic cancer cells; Photodynamic therapy; Photofrin