Abstract
D.Tech. (Biomedical Technology)
Cancer is a disease that occurs following mutations in the genes, which control cell growth. These mutations are caused by different causes and viral infections are among those. Cancer cells can conquer other cells and tissues causing changes to their deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA). Cancer appears almost incurable once it has started to metastasize and invade other body organs. At that stage, any therapeutic intervention was believed to cause more harm than curative effects (Gallucci, 1985; Kardinal and Yarbro, 1979). Late diagnosis and treatment reduces the possibility of an effective cure (He et al., 2007). The development of a malignant tumour from cells in the breast is known as breast cancer. Breast cancer is generally initiated in the stromal cells, which are fibrous and fatty tissues, or in the glandular cells; which produce breast milk (American Cancer Society, 2014). Breast cancer is the leading cancer among women and cause of cancer death worldwide (Ferlay et al., 2008). It is a heterogeneous disease with several markers, which are essential for diagnosis and include the estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) (Mosoyan et al., 2013; Yang et al., 2013).
Like all cancer, breast cancer can be cured if diagnosed at an early stage. Treatment of cancer has evolved from palliative therapies to conventional therapies, which consist of surgery, hormonal therapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and adjuvant therapy. (Gallucci, 1985; Kardinal and Yarbro, 1979). Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has become popular as an alternative cancer treatment modality. PDT depends on molecular oxygen and photodynamic action for effective cancer destruction (Von Tappeiner and Jesionek, 1903; Von Tappeiner and Joblauer, 1904). Today, PDT is designated as a chronological and minimally invasive cancer therapy with numerous benefits over conventional treatments. The initial step of this therapy consists of the administration of drugs to patients,..