The light-oxygen effect as the analogue of photodynamic effect and its possibility in tumour therapy

Abstract

The light-oxygen effect (LOE) represents damage (and at low optical doses, activation) of cells by photogeneration of molecular singlet oxygen from Oz dissolved in cells, in accordance with the reaction: 302 + hv--> lO2--> biological effect. The phases of evolution of the LOE are similar to the phases, of the photodynamic effect (PDE), the mechanism of which is the basis of the familiar method of photodynamic tumour therapy. An evidence of the occurrence of the LOE are in the form of detailed spectra of the biological action of optical radiation on cells. Identification of the primary photoacceptor (02) in cell biostimulation and photodestruction provides a scientific basis for the development of light-oxygen tumour therapy methods. Results are given of the first experimental applications of the LOE in tumour therapy.