Abstract
Lung cancer is the most dangerous, malignant melanoma is the most aggressive, and cervical cancer has become more common in youngsters. PDT causes light-dependent and ROS-related cell death with non-toxic photosensitizers (PS). PDT can treat many malignancies, but cancer stem cells (CSCs), a subset of tumor cells that can initiate and relapse, may resist treatment.
This study examined the effects of AlPcS4Cl - nanoPDT using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on lung, cervical, and melanoma CSCs. Intracellular localization of the drug compound and biochemical assays including viability, proliferation, cytotoxicity, and Annexin VPI cell death were performed together with morphological examination.
The results demonstrate increased absorption and localization of the therapeutic molecule in CSCs. A decrease in CSC survival and proliferation, enhanced cytotoxicity, and apoptotic cell death confirmed the drug's efficacy.
The results demonstrated that when AuNPs were utilized as a drug carrier for AlPcS4Cl, the PDT's effects were amplified, culminating in the complete annihilation of CSCs.