Cell death induced by photodynamic therapy with the conjugate of gold nanoparticles-PpIX in HeLa cell line

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a non-conventional cancer treatment that consists in the administration of a photosensitizer (Ps) activated by light. The conjugate of protoporphyrin IX-gold nanoparticle used as Ps has showed an enhanced effect on cervical cancer cells treated with PDT. The aim of this work was to determinate the mechanisms involved in cell death induced in HeLa by this conjugate. Cervical cancer cell line HeLa was culture, exposed to NpAu-PpIX conjugate and irradiated to 630nm. Results showed that the conjugated induce apoptosis since first hour after irradiation. Due to the effectiveness of the PDT this could be an alternative treatment for cancers that develop resistance to conventional treatments.