A comparison of protoporphyrin IX and protoporphyrin IX dimethyl ester as a photosensitizer in poorly differentiated human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells.

Abstract

Protoporphyrin IX dimethyl ester (PME), a dimethyl esterification of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), exhibits higher intracellular uptake into NPC/CNE2 cells, a poorly differentiated human nasopharyngeal carcinoma, than does PpIX. Phototoxicity studies reveal PME to be a more potent photosensitizer than is PpIX, at the early and late incubation time points. Correlating phototoxicity with subcellular localization indicates that PME is a more potent photosensitizer when its primary target of photodamage is mitochondria. Also, additional targeting of lysosome enhances phototoxicity.

• Authors: Karen Kar Lye Yee, Khee Chee Soo, Boon Huat Bay, Malini Olivo
• Journal: Photochemistry and photobiology (Photochem Photobiol) Vol. 76 Issue 6 Pg. 678-82 (Dec 2002) ISSN: 0031-8655 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12511050 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Photosensitizing Agents
• Protoporphyrins
• protoporphyrin IX
• dimethyl protoporphyrin IX

Topics

• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Humans
• Light
• Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms (metabolism, pathology)
• Photochemotherapy
• Photosensitizing Agents (metabolism, pharmacology)
• Protoporphyrins (metabolism, pharmacology)
• Time Factors
• Tumor Cells, Cultured