Fluorescence detection of MSH-receptors in melanoma as a target of hormone-directed photosensitation in PDT

摘要

MSH receptors are one of the possible targets to specifically attack melanoma cells by photodynamically active agents bound to melanotropic hormones. To attack effectively metastatic melanoma the presence of the hormone receptor has to be proven in metastases. Radioactive labeling of melanotropic hormones allows us to check for the presence of intact receptors. We tried to develop a non-radioactive immunological method as a first step to work out therapeutic strategies to attach photodynamically active porphyrins to the surface of melanoma cells.