Influence of nitric oxide on antitumor activity of photodynamic therapy. Laser systems for PDT

摘要

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising therapeutic modality used for the cancer treatment. The principle of PDT is based on the formation of singlet oxygen and other activated oxygen metabolites that result in apoptotic tumor cell death. However, the resistance of some tumors to radiation therapy is recorded. The search for the chemical agents, therefore, which are able to enhance the antitumor activity of radiation therapy and induce the tumor cell apoptosis is of great importance. The use of pharmacologic agents such as donors of nitric oxide (NO) or modulators of NO-synthase may be one of the approaches to improve the therapeutic efficiency of PDT. The aim of our study was to evaluate the feasibility of using nitric oxide in combination with PDT for enhancing the induction of tumor cell apoptosis.