Synergistic effects of 5-azacitidine and photodynamic therapy using spirulina platensis on cell death in CAL27 oral squamous cell carcinoma Cells

IF 2.6 3区医学 Q2 ONCOLOGY

Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy Pub Date : 2025-09-25 DOI:10.1016/j.pdpdt.2025.105232

Alireza Ranjbar , Sima Shahabi , Mojgan Alaeddini , Hadiseh Mohammadpour , Mahshid Hodjat , Sogol Saberi

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains a major clinical challenge with high mortality and limited treatment responsiveness. Epigenetic therapy with 5-azacitidine (5-aza), a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, and photodynamic therapy (PDT) using natural photosensitizers have independently shown promise in enhancing cancer cell death.

Objective

This study investigates the synergistic effect of combining 5-aza and Spirulina-based PDT on OSCC cells.

Methods

Human OSCC (CAL27) and normal gingival fibroblast (HGF) cells were treated with 5-aza, Spirulina extract-based PDT, or their combination. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assay; migration by wound healing; invasion by MMP2/9 gene expression; apoptosis by flow cytometry; and DNA fragmentation by comet assay.

Results

The combination therapy significantly reduced CAL27 cell viability while sparing normal HGF cells. Cell migration and invasion were markedly suppressed, with downregulation of MMP2 and MMP9. Apoptosis rates and DNA damage were significantly higher in the combined treatment group than in either monotherapy.

Conclusion

Spirulina-based PDT enhances the antitumor efficacy of 5-aza in OSCC by inducing synergistic cytotoxic, apoptotic, and anti-invasive effects. These findings support the therapeutic potential of combining epigenetic and oxidative stress-based modalities in OSCC management.

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5-阿扎胞苷和光动力疗法对CAL27口腔鳞状细胞癌细胞死亡的协同作用：5-阿扎胞苷和光动力疗法对口腔鳞状细胞癌细胞的协同抗癌作用。

背景：口腔鳞状细胞癌（OSCC）仍然是一个主要的临床挑战，具有高死亡率和有限的治疗反应。5-氮杂胞苷（5-aza），一种DNA甲基转移酶抑制剂的表观遗传学治疗和使用天然光敏剂的光动力治疗（PDT）分别显示出促进癌细胞死亡的希望。目的：研究5-aza联合螺旋藻PDT对OSCC细胞的协同作用。方法：用5-aza、螺旋藻提取物为基础的PDT或两者联合治疗人OSCC （CAL27）和正常牙龈成纤维细胞（HGF）。MTT法测定细胞毒性；伤口愈合迁移；MMP2/9基因表达的侵袭；流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡；通过彗星测定法进行DNA碎片化。结果：联合治疗显著降低CAL27细胞活力，同时保留正常HGF细胞。MMP2和MMP9表达下调，明显抑制细胞迁移和侵袭。联合治疗组细胞凋亡率和DNA损伤明显高于单药治疗组。结论：螺旋藻PDT通过诱导协同细胞毒、细胞凋亡和抗侵袭作用增强5-aza在OSCC中的抗肿瘤作用。这些发现支持了结合表观遗传和氧化应激模式在OSCC管理中的治疗潜力。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy ONCOLOGY-

CiteScore

5.80

自引率

24.20%

发文量

509

审稿时长

50 days

期刊介绍： Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy is an international journal for the dissemination of scientific knowledge and clinical developments of Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy in all medical specialties. The journal publishes original articles, review articles, case presentations, "how-to-do-it" articles, Letters to the Editor, short communications and relevant images with short descriptions. All submitted material is subject to a strict peer-review process.