Yuichi Miki1, Jiro Akimoto2, Hiroyuki Omata3, Keiko Moritake3, Michika Hiranuma3, Chihiro Hironaka3, Yasuyuki Fujiwara3, Masatoshi Beppu3. 1. School of Pharmacy, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, 1432-1 Horinouchi, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan. Electronic address: miki@ps.toyaku.ac.jp. 2. Department of Neurosurgery, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishi-shinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan. 3. School of Pharmacy, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, 1432-1 Horinouchi, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) induces selective cell death of neoplastic tissue and connecting vasculature by combining photosensitizers with light. We have previously reported that PDT induces apoptotic cell death in glioma cells when the photosensitizer talaporfin sodium (NPe6) is used. Here, we investigated the combined effect of NPe6-PDT with temozolomide, a DNA-alkylating drug used in glioma therapy. METHODS: Human glioblastoma T98G cells and human glioma U251 cells were used as glioma cells. Cell viability was evaluated by WST-8 assay. Apoptosis was evaluated by measurement of caspase-3 activity and DNA-fragmentation. Intracellular reactive oxygen species were evaluated by dihydrorhodamine assay. RESULTS: While the degree of NPe6-PDT induced cell death unchanged in T98G and U251 cells when temozolomide treatment was adjuvant, it was dose-dependently increased by concomitant treatment with temozolomide. Further, concomitantly administered temozolomide dose-dependently increased caspase-3 activity and DNA-fragmentation, while adjuvant-temozolomide did not. These results are suggesting that concomitantly administered temozolomide potentiates the effect of NPe6-PDT to facilitate apoptotic cell death. Additionally, concomitantly administered temozolomide increased intracellular NPe6-fluorescence and reactive oxygen species, suggesting that the augmentation effect of combined treatment may be due to increased intracellular accumulation of NPe6. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that concomitant treatment with NPe6-PDT and temozolomide is a potentially useful therapy for glioma.
BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) induces selective cell death of neoplastic tissue and connecting vasculature by combining photosensitizers with light. We have previously reported that PDT induces apoptotic cell death in glioma cells when the photosensitizer talaporfin sodium (NPe6) is used. Here, we investigated the combined effect of NPe6-PDT with temozolomide, a DNA-alkylating drug used in glioma therapy. METHODS:Humanglioblastoma T98G cells and humanglioma U251 cells were used as glioma cells. Cell viability was evaluated by WST-8 assay. Apoptosis was evaluated by measurement of caspase-3 activity and DNA-fragmentation. Intracellular reactive oxygen species were evaluated by dihydrorhodamine assay. RESULTS: While the degree of NPe6-PDT induced cell death unchanged in T98G and U251 cells when temozolomide treatment was adjuvant, it was dose-dependently increased by concomitant treatment with temozolomide. Further, concomitantly administered temozolomide dose-dependently increased caspase-3 activity and DNA-fragmentation, while adjuvant-temozolomide did not. These results are suggesting that concomitantly administered temozolomide potentiates the effect of NPe6-PDT to facilitate apoptotic cell death. Additionally, concomitantly administered temozolomide increased intracellular NPe6-fluorescence and reactive oxygen species, suggesting that the augmentation effect of combined treatment may be due to increased intracellular accumulation of NPe6. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that concomitant treatment with NPe6-PDT and temozolomide is a potentially useful therapy for glioma.