Abstract
Melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer, remains
incurable despite advances in treatment. Therefore, the need for alternative
treatment approaches remains high. Photodynamic therapy is a localized,
noninvasive treatment method. A photosensitizer is a crucial component of
photodynamic therapy (PDT), which generates cytotoxic reactive oxygen
species to kill cancer cells. A second-generation photosensitizer with FDA
approval that satisfies the necessary clinical requirements for PDT is Chlorin e6
(Ce6). It is well-known for its strong anticancer effects on various cancer types
and for its significant capacity to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). Ce6
has demonstrated significant therapeutic potential against various cancers,
including refractory ovarian, lung, melanoma, and metastatic breast cancer. In
this study, we investigated the in vitro efficacy of Ce6-mediated photodynamic
therapy (PDT) on metastatic melanoma (A375) cells, using a 660 nm laser at
two different fluence levels (5 and 15 J/cm2) in 24 and 48 h. Cellular alterations were observed through ATP viability testing,
microscopy examination, oxidative stress assessment, and cellular apoptosis assay during the study period. The results demonstrated
that Ce6, when activated using the studied PDT parameters, effectively decreased cell viability and caused cell death by apoptosis, as
seen by increased ROS generation in metastatic melanoma cells at both 5 J/cm2 and 15 J/cm2 PDT doses. Our study confirmed that
the therapeutic potential of Ce6 supports its suitability as a promising photosensitizer for incorporation into a nanobioconjugate
platform for the treatment of melanoma.