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Genetic aberrations associated with photodynamic therapy in colorectal cancer cells

- Abrahamse, Heidi, Houreld, Nicolette Nadene

  • Authors: Abrahamse, Heidi , Houreld, Nicolette Nadene
  • Date: 2019
  • Subjects: Photodynamic therapy, Colorectal cancer, Zinc phthalocyanine;
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/396389 , uj:32909 , Citation : Abrahamse, H. 2019. Genetic aberrations associated with photodynamic therapy in colorectal cancer cells @ Houreld, N.N. , http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms20133254
  • Description: Abstract : Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a cancer treatment modality that utilizes three components: light (λ 650–750 nm), a photosensitizer (PS) and molecular oxygen, which upon activation renders the modality effective. Colorectal cancer has one of the highest incident rates as well as a high mortality rate worldwide. In this study, a zinc (Zn) metal-based phthalocyanine (ZnPcSmix) PS was used to determine its efficacy for the treatment of colon adenocarcinoma cells (DLD-1 and Caco-2). Photoactivation of the PS was achieved by laser irradiation at a wavelength of 680 nm. Dose responses were performed to establish optimal PS concentration and irradiation fluence. A working combination of 20 µM ZnPcSmix and 5 J/cm2 was used. Biochemical responses were determined after 1 or 24 h incubation post-treatment. Since ZnPcSmix is localized in lysosomes and mitochondria, mitochondrial destabilization analysis was performed monitoring mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Cytosolic acidification was determined measuring hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels in the cytoplasm. Having established apoptotic cell death induction, an apoptosis PCR array was performed to establish the apoptotic mechanism. In DLD-1 cells, expression of genes included 3 up-regulated and 20 down-regulated genes while in Caco-2 cells, there were 16 up-regulated and 22 down-regulated genes. In both cell lines, in up-regulated genes, there was a combination of pro- and anti-apoptotic genes that were significantly expressed. Gene expression results showed that more tumorigenic cells (DLD-1) went through apoptosis; however, they exhibit increased risk of resistance and recurrence, while less tumorigenic Caco-2 cells responded better to PDT, thus being suggestive of a better prognosis post-PDT treatment. In addition, the possible apoptotic mechanisms of cell death were deduced based on the genetic expression profiling of regulatory apoptotic inducing factors.
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New photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy

- Abrahamse, Heidi, Hamblin, Michael R.

  • Authors: Abrahamse, Heidi , Hamblin, Michael R.
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Naturally occurring photosensitizers , Photochemical mechanisms , Photodynamic therapy
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/215235 , uj:21381 , Citation: Abrahamse, H & Hamblin, M.R. 2016. New photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy.
  • Description: Abstract: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) was discovered more than 100 years ago, and has since become a well-studied therapy for cancer and various non-malignant diseases including infections. PDT uses photosensitizers (PSs, non-toxic dyes) that are activated by absorption of visible light to initially form the excited singlet state, followed by transition to the long-lived excited triplet state. This triplet state can undergo photochemical reactions in the presence of oxygen to form reactive oxygen species (including singlet oxygen) that can destroy cancer cells, pathogenic microbes and unwanted tissue. The dual-specificity of PDT relies on accumulation of the PS in diseased tissue and also on localized light delivery. Tetrapyrrole structures such as porphyrins, chlorins, bacteriochlorins and phthalocyanines with appropriate functionalization have been widely investigated in PDT, and several compounds have received clinical approval. Other molecular structures including the synthetic dyes classes as phenothiazinium, squaraine and BODIPY (boron-dipyrromethene), transition metal complexes, and natural products such as hypericin, riboflavin and curcumin have been investigated. Targeted PDT uses PSs conjugated to antibodies, peptides, proteins and other ligands with specific cellular receptors. Nanotechnology has made a significant contribution to PDT, giving rise to approaches such as nanoparticle delivery, fullerene-based PSs, titania photocatalysis, and the use of upconverting nanoparticles to increase light penetration into tissue. Future directions include photochemical internalization, genetically encoded protein PSs, theranostics, two-photon absorption PDT, and sonodynamic therapy using ultrasound.
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Biochemical responses of isolated lung CSCs after application of low intensity laser irradiation

- Abrahamse, Heidi, Crous, Anine

  • Authors: Abrahamse, Heidi , Crous, Anine
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: High fluence low intensity laser irradiation , Lung cancer stem cells
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/215358 , uj:21404 , Citation: Abrahamse, H & Crous, A. 2016. Biochemical responses of isolated lung CSCs after application of low intensity laser irradiation.
  • Description: Abstract: Studies have shown that using high fluences of Low Intensity Laser Irradiation (HF-LILI) produce apoptotic effects on normal and neoplastic cells. This study aimed to determine whether HF-LILI induce cell death in lung CSCs. Lung CSCs were isolated using the stem cell marker CD 133, characterized using flow cytometry, and applied in experiments which included treatment with LILI at wavelengths of 636, 825 and 1060 nm with fluences ranging from 5 J/cm2 to 40 J/cm2. Viability and proliferation studies, using Alamar blue assay and adenosine triphosphate luminescence (ATP), indicated an increase when treating lung CSCs with low fluences of 5 - 20 J/cm2 and a decrease in viability and proliferation as well as an increase in apoptosis when applying a fluence of 40 J/cm2 indicated by flow cytometry using Annexin V and propidium iodide (PI) dyes. Results indicate that LILI, when treating lung CSCs, can induce either a bio-stimulatory or bio-inhibitory effect depending on the wavelength and fluence used. This study indicated successful apoptotic induction of lung CSCs. Future experiments should be able to conclude the exact mechanism behind HF-LILI, which can be used in the targeted treatments of CSC elimination, implementing HF-LILI in the same manner as PDT in the absence of a photosensitizer.
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Photobiomodulation : an accepted therapeutic modality?

- Abrahamse, Heidi

Photodynamic therapy, a potential therapy for improve cancer management

- Abrahamse, Heidi, Mfouo Tynga, Ivan Sosthene

  • Authors: Abrahamse, Heidi , Mfouo Tynga, Ivan Sosthene
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Cancer , Breast cancer , Current treatment
  • Language: English
  • Type: Book Chapter
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/289211 , uj:31375 , Citation: Abrahamse, H. & Mfouo Tynga, I.S. 2018. Photodynamic therapy, a potential therapy for improve cancer management. , DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.74697
  • Description: Abstract: Cancer is a mass of abnormal and detrimental cells in a given part of the body. The main elucidated cause is the uncontrolled growth and proliferation of those cells after the corruption of the physiological processes responsible for normal development and functioning. The advantage of adjuvant therapy, therapy done after surgery, is to prevent the occurring of symptoms and not necessarily to make sure of the integrity of mechanisms that are crucial in preventing abnormal cell proliferation such cell cycle regulation, cell death, which include autophagy, necrosis, and apoptosis. The understanding of dysregulated cell death mechanisms combined with suitable alternative cancer therapies could lead to novel treatment modalities for cancer. Currently, breast cancer is the leading occurring cancer in sub-Saharan women after that of the cervix. This potentially curable condition kills more than half of the diagnosed group, which consists mainly of females aged between 35 and 49 years and with 77% being in stages III and IV. The social economic status of populations coupled with the limited access to proper control strategies and infrastructures in sub-Saharan regions accentuate the burden of the disease. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has shown great potential in treating breast cancer and even greater therapeutic outcomes can be obtained when combining PDT with other therapies such as immunotherapy or nanomedicine.
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In vitro combined effect of Doxorubicin and sulfonated zinc Phthalocyanine– mediated photodynamic therapy on MCF-7 breast cancer cells

- Aniogo, Eric Chekwube, George, Blassan Plackal Adimuriyil, Abrahamse, Heidi

  • Authors: Aniogo, Eric Chekwube , George, Blassan Plackal Adimuriyil , Abrahamse, Heidi
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Doxorubicin , Phthalocyanine , Photodynamic therapy
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/249516 , uj:25966 , Citation: Aniogo, E.C., George, B.P.A. & Abrahamse, H. 2017. In vitro combined effect of Doxorubicin and sulfonated zinc Phthalocyanine– mediated photodynamic therapy on MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Tumor Biology, DOI: 10.1177/1010428317727278
  • Description: Abstract: Doxorubicin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic and anticancer drug used to treat a variety of human malignancies like breast cancer and leukaemia. Unfortunately, a dose-dependent side effect of this drug is common, representing a major obstacle to its use despite its therapeutic efficacy. Photodynamic therapy is an emerging non-invasive potential adjuvant for conventional cancer treatment. In an attempt to circumvent the dose-limiting effect of doxorubicin, this study aimed to investigate cellular anticancer activity of doxorubicin and sulfonated zinc phthalocyanine–mediated photodynamic therapy on MCF-7 cells alone and in combination. Furthermore, we investigated the cell death pathway resulting from the combination treatment. MCF-7 cells were incubated with 0.5 μM concentration of doxorubicin for 20 h, afterwards, various concentrations of sulfonated zinc phthalocyanine were added and incubated for 4 h. Cells were irradiated using a 681.5 nm diode laser at 4.53 mW/cm2 for 18 min 24 s (5 J/cm2). Cell viability and proliferation were measured using trypan blue assay and homogeneous adenosine triphosphate quantitation assay, respectively, while qualitative changes in cellular morphology were observed under inverted light microscopy. Cellular DNA damage was assessed under fluorescent microscopy and Annexin V/propidium iodide stain was used to investigate the cell death pathway. Findings from this study shown that combined treatment with doxorubicin and photodynamic therapy was more effective in inhibiting the proliferation and growth of MCF-7 cells. Overall, the results indicate that combination of smaller dose of doxorubicin with photodynamic therapy is a promising combined treatment strategy for breast carcinoma. However, this combination warrants further investigation.
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Role of Bcl-2 family proteins in photodynamic therapy mediated cell survival and regulation

- Aniogo, Eric Chekwube, George, Blassan Plackal Adimuriyil, Abrahamse, Heidi

  • Authors: Aniogo, Eric Chekwube , George, Blassan Plackal Adimuriyil , Abrahamse, Heidi
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Bcl-2 family , Pro-apoptotic , Anti-apoptotic
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/457556 , uj:40606 , Citation: Aniogo, E.C., George, B.P.A. & Abrahamse, H. 2020. Role of Bcl-2 family proteins in photodynamic therapy mediated cell survival and regulation. , DOI: 10.3390/molecules25225308
  • Description: Abstract: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment modality that involves three components: combination of a photosensitizer, light and molecular oxygen that leads to localized formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The ROS generated from this promising therapeutic modality can be lethal to the cell and leads to consequential destruction of tumor cells. However, sometimes the ROS trigger a stress response survival mechanism that helps the cells to cope with PDT-induced damage, resulting in resistance to the treatment. One preferred mechanism of cell death induced by PDT is apoptosis, and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family proteins have been described as a major determinant of life or death decision of the death pathways. Apoptosis is a cellular self-destruction mechanism to remove old cells through the biological event of tissue homeostasis. The Bcl-2 family proteins act as a critical mediator of a life–death decision of cells in maintaining tissue homeostasis. There are several reports that show cancer cells developing resistance due to the increased interaction of the pro-survival Bcl-2 family proteins. However, the key mechanisms leading to apoptosis evasion and drug resistance have not been adequately understood. Therefore, it is critical to understand the mechanisms of PDT resistance, as well as the Bcl-2 family proteins, to give more insight into the treatment outcomes. In this review, we describe the role of Bcl-2 gene family proteins’ interaction in response to disease progression and PDT-induced resistance mechanisms.
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Laser irradiation alters the expression profile of genes involved in the extracellular matrix in vitro

- Ayuk, Sandra M., Houreld, Nicolette N., Abrahamse, Heidi

The role of matrix metalloproteinases in diabetic wound healing in relation to photobiomodulation

- Ayuk, Sandra Matabi, Abrahamse, Heidi, Houreld, Nicolette Nadene

  • Authors: Ayuk, Sandra Matabi , Abrahamse, Heidi , Houreld, Nicolette Nadene
  • Date: 2016
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/215232 , uj:21382 , Citation: Ayuk, S.M., Abrahamse, H & Houreld, N.N. 2016. The role of matrix metalloproteinases in diabetic wound healing in relation to photobiomodulation.
  • Description: Abstract: The integration of several cellular responses initiates the process of wound healing. Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an integral role in wound healing. Their main function is degradation, by removal of damaged extracellular matrix (ECM) during the inflammatory phase, breakdown of the capillary basement membrane for angiogenesis and cell migration during the proliferation phase, and contraction and remodelling of tissue in the remodelling phase. For effective healing to occur, all wounds require a certain amount of these enzymes, which on the contrary could be very damaging at high concentrations causing excessive degradation and impaired wound healing. The imbalance in MMPs may increase the chronicity of a wound, a familiar problem seen in diabetic patients. The association of diabetes with impaired wound healing and other vascular complications is a serious public health issue. These may eventually lead to chronic foot ulcers and amputation. Low intensity laser irradiation (LILI) or photobiomodulation (PBM) is known to stimulate several wound healing processes; however, its role in matrix proteins and diabetic wound healing has not been fully investigated. This review focuses on the role of MMPs in diabetic wound healing and their interaction in PBM.
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Anti-Proliferative, Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Syzygium mundagam Bark Methanol Extract

- Chandran, Rahul, George, Blassan P., Abrahamse, Heidi

  • Authors: Chandran, Rahul , George, Blassan P. , Abrahamse, Heidi
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Lactate dehydrogenase , Hoechst stain , Granuloma tissue
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/425298 , uj:36406 , Rahul, C., George, B.P., Abrahamse, H.: Anti-Proliferative, Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Syzygium mundagam Bark Methanol Extract. DOI: 10.3390/molecules25122900
  • Description: Abstract: Cancer, pain and inflammation have long been a cause for concern amongst patients, clinicians and research scientists. There is an alarming increase in the demand for medicines suppressing these disease conditions. The present study investigates the role of Syzygium mundagam bark methanol (SMBM) extract against MCF-7 breast cancer cells, pain and inflammation. The MCF-7 cells treated with SMBM were analyzed for adenosine triphosphate (ATP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, changes in cell morphology and nuclear damage. Hot plate, acetic acid and formalin-induced pain models were followed to determine the analgesic activity. Anti-inflammatory activity was studied using carrageenan, egg albumin and cotton pellet induced rat models. Microscopic images of cells in SMBM treated groups showed prominent cell shrinkage and nuclear damage. Hoechst stain results supported the cell death morphology. The decline in ATP (47.96%) and increased LDH (40.96%) content indicated SMBM induced toxicity in MCF-7 cells. In the in vivo study, a higher dose (200 mg/kg) of the extract was found to be effective in reducing pain and inflammation. The results are promising and the action of the extract on MCF-7 cells, pain and inflammation models indicate the potential of drugs of natural origin to improve current therapies.
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Identifying plant-based natural medicine against oxidative stress and neurodegenerative disorders

- Chandran, Rahul, Abrahamse, Heidi

Nanotechnology in Modern Photodynamic Therapy of cancer : a review of cellular resistance patterns affecting the therapeutic response

- Chizenga, Elvin Peter, Abrahamse, Heidi

Potential treatment of breast and lung cancer using dicoma anomala, an African medicinal plant

- Chota, Alexander, George, Blassan P., Abrahamse, Heidi

Low intensity laser irradiation at 636 nm induces increased viability and proliferation in isolated lung cancer stem cells

- Crous, Anine, Abrahamse, Heidi

  • Authors: Crous, Anine , Abrahamse, Heidi
  • Date: 2016
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/215225 , uj:21380 , Citation: Crous, A & Abrahamse, H. 2016. Low intensity laser irradiation at 636 nm induces increased viability and proliferation in isolated lung cancer stem cells.
  • Description: Abstract: Objective: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effects of low-intensity laser irradiation (LILI) on isolated lung cancer stem cells (CSCs) after several time intervals, using a wavelength of 636 nm and fluences between 5 and 20 J/cm2. Background data: LILI has been proven to have a biomodulatory effect on various diseased conditions. A number of studies have been conducted on CSCs. Methods: lung CSCs were isolated from lung cancer cells (A549), using cell surface marker CD 133. Isolated lung CSCs were divided into four groups: group 1 consisted of control cells receiving no irradiation; groups 2, 3, and 4 were exposed to laser irradiation at fluences of 5, 10, and 20 J/cm2, respectively. LILI was performed using a 636 nm diode laser with a power output of ±85 mW. Cellular responses were evaluated after 24, 48, or 72 h, and included cell morphology, viability, and proliferation. Results: Cellular morphology indicated an increase in cell density caused by cell proliferation over time. Biostimulatory effects were achieved in lung CSCs when examining viability and proliferation. Conclusions: It should, therefore, be noted that a low wavelength of 636 nm at various fluences induces biostimulation, which may have detrimental effects when using LILI as a form of regeneration.
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Targeted photodynamic therapy for improved lung cancer treatment

- Crous, Anine, Abrahamse, Heidi

  • Authors: Crous, Anine , Abrahamse, Heidi
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Lung cancer , Lung cancer stem cells , PDT
  • Language: English
  • Type: Book chapter
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/283747 , uj:30619 , Citation: Crous, A. & Abrahamse, H. 2008. Targeted photodynamic therapy for improved lung cancer treatment.
  • Description: Abstract: Cancer develops from the outgrowth of a clonal population of cells with a genetic pathology to evade cell death and exponential proliferation. It has become a global burden with increasing mortality rates. Lung cancer is a major contributor to cancer fatalities. Conventional therapies have shown advances in treating lung cancer, but the successful eradication of cancer lies in targeting both cancer and cancer stem cells. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a ration of cells found within the tumour bulk, capable of cancer initiation, therapy resistance, metastasis and cancer relapse. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has proven effective in treating lung cancer. PDT exerts selective cell death mechanisms toward cancerous cells. With the use of a photosensitizer (PS) which becomes excited upon irradiation with laser light at a specific wavelength, the PS forms reactive oxygen species (ROS) in turn killing neoplastic cells. Leading therapeutic sequel can be obtained by transcending PDT though combination therapies such as immunotherapy and nanotechnology which will enable PDT to target lung CSCs preventing lung cancer recurrence.
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Targeted photodynamic therapy : a novel approach to abolition of human cancer stem cells

- Crous, Anine, Chizenga, Elvin, Hodgkinson, Natasha, Abrahamse, Heidi

  • Authors: Crous, Anine , Chizenga, Elvin , Hodgkinson, Natasha , Abrahamse, Heidi
  • Date: 2018
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/278330 , uj:29865 , Citation: Crous, A. et al. 2018. Targeted photodynamic therapy : a novel approach to abolition of human cancer stem cells. International Journal of Optics Volume 2018, Article ID 7317063, 9 pages https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/7317063
  • Description: Abstract: Cancer is a global burden that has prompted extensive research into prevention and treatment, over many decades. Scientific studies have shown that subset of cells within a tumour, known as cancer stem cells (CSCs), are responsible for tumourigenesis, metastasis, drug resistance, and recurrences. CSCs have characteristic features of enhanced self-renewal, proliferation, and limited but multidirectional differentiation capacity. The discovery of CSCs has initiated extensive research into novel cancer treatment regimes. Evidence indicates that CSCs are resistant to conventional chemo- and radiation therapy leading to treatment failures, cancermetastasis, secondary cancer formation, and relapse. Because of the observed phenomena in the course of cancer prognosis, a need for treatment modalities targeting CSCs is important. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a clinically approved, minimally invasive, therapeutic procedure that can exert a selective cytotoxic activity toward cancerous cells while reducing toxicity to normal cells. It uses a photosensitizer (PS) that becomes excited when subjected to light at a specific wavelength, and the PS forms reactive oxygen species (ROS) killing malignant cells. Currently, PDT is being investigated as a target specific treatment for CSCs by the addition of carrier molecules and antibody conjugates bound to the PS. Targeted PDT (TPDT) may be able to not only eradicate the tumour mass but kill CSCs as well.
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Targeted photodynamic therapy for improved lung cancer treatment

- Crous, Anine, Abrahamse, Heidi

  • Authors: Crous, Anine , Abrahamse, Heidi
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Lung cancer , Lung cancer stem cells , PDT
  • Language: English
  • Type: Book Chapter
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/412204 , uj:34675 , Citation: Crous, A. & Abrahamse, H. 2018. Targeted photodynamic therapy for improved lung cancer treatment.
  • Description: Abstract: Cancer develops from the outgrowth of a clonal population of cells with a genetic pathology to evade cell death and exponential proliferation. It has become a global burden with increasing mortality rates. Lung cancer is a major contributor to cancer fatalities. Conventional therapies have shown advances in treating lung cancer, but the successful eradication of cancer lies in targeting both cancer and cancer stem cells. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a ration of cells found within the tumour bulk, capable of cancer initiation, therapy resistance, metastasis and cancer relapse. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has proven effective in treating lung cancer. PDT exerts selective cell death mechanisms toward cancerous cells. With the use of a photosensitizer (PS) which becomes excited upon irradiation with laser light at a specific wavelength, the PS forms reactive oxygen species (ROS) in turn killing neoplastic cells. Leading therapeutic sequel can be obtained by transcending PDT though combination therapies such as immunotherapy and nanotechnology which will enable PDT to target lung CSCs preventing lung cancer recurrence.
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Effective gold nanoparticle-antibody-mediated drug delivery for photodynamic therapy of lung cancer stem cells

- Crous, Anine, Abrahamse, Heidi

  • Authors: Crous, Anine , Abrahamse, Heidi
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Lung cancer stem cells , Gold nanoparticles , Immunoconjugate
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/415769 , uj:35143 , Citation: Crous, A., Abrahamse, H. Effective gold nanoparticle-antibody-mediated drug delivery for photodynamic therapy of lung cancer stem cells
  • Description: Abstract: , Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a leading contributor to lung cancer mortality rates. CSCs are responsible for tumor growth and recurrence through inhibition of drug-induced cell death, decreasing the effect of traditional cancer therapy and photodynamic therapy (PDT). PDT can be improved to successfully treat lung cancer by using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), due to their size and shape, which have been shown to facilitate drug delivery and retention, along with the targeted antibody (Ab) mediated selection of CSCs. In this study, a nanobioconjugate (NBC) was constructed, using a photosensitizer (PS) (AlPcS4Cl), AuNPs and Abs. The NBC was characterized, using spectroscopy techniques. Photodynamic effects of the NBC on lung CSCs was evaluated, using biochemical assays 24 h post-irradiation, in order to establish its anticancer effect. Results showed successful conjugation of the nanocomposite. Localization of the NBC was seen to be in integral organelles involved in cell homeostasis. Biochemical responses of lung CSCs treated using AlPcS4Cl -AuNP and AlPcS4Cl-AuNP-Ab showed significant cell toxicity and cell death, compared to free AlPcS4Cl. The PDT effects were enhanced when using the NBC, showing significant lung CSC destruction to the point of eradication.
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Laser therapy for the treatment of onychomycosis : best evidence based practice or not?

- Dembskey, Nadia, Abrahamse, Heidi

  • Authors: Dembskey, Nadia , Abrahamse, Heidi
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Onychomycosis , Resistance , Laser
  • Language: English
  • Type: Articles
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/241789 , uj:24924 , Citation: Dembskey N, Abrahamse H (2016) Laser Therapy for the Treatment of Onychomycosis: Best Evidence Based Practice or Not?. Clin Res Foot Ankle 4: 211. doi:10.4172/2329-910X.1000211 , ISSN: 2329-910X
  • Description: Abstract: Onychomycosis is a very common condition that accounts for 50% of all nail pathologies. Currently 2–5% of the world population suffers from this disorder. It is primarily caused by dermatophytes, but the infection can also be caused by yeasts and non-dermatophyte moulds. Onychomycosis is a therapeutic challenge and recently there has been an increase in resistance to oral and topical antifungal agents, leading to 20–25% relapse and/or reinfection rate. During the past 5 years, the emergence of laser therapy has been the topic of discussion as a newer, safer modality of treatment. Nail clippings and scrapings are the most common methods of sampling for suspected onychomycosis. The simplest method for detecting fungi is by way of 20% potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparations, but lately show insufficient sensitivity in onychomycosis – as much as 40–68%. Fungi can also be grown in culture form; however a 70% sensitivity detection failure rate is seen. Recently, histological fungal detection – in the form of Periodic Acid- Schiff (PAS) stain – has shown high sensitivity at 92% in the detection of fungal elements. The exact mechanism of action of laser is unknown but it is believed that heat disintegrates fungal structures. One of the most appealing characteristics of laser therapy is its ability to deliver energy to the target tissue and avoid systemic side effects at the same time. In 2009 the United Kingdom (UK) Podiatry magazine Podiatry Now published a letter suggesting laser treatment was “possibly the most radical development in the treatment of onychomycosis our profession has ever seen”, although concerns were raised over the unproven efficacy and investment costs involved. Papers have been published investigating the efficacy of lasers for the treatment of onychomycosis. Even though laser therapy provides an alternative option with rapid procedure duration, conflicting evidence is shown in a variety of papers and studies with longer follow-up periods suggest onychomycosis relapse in those treated with laser, which warrants further investigation.
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Selective laser efficiency of green-synthesized silver nanoparticles by aloe arborescens and its wound healing activities in normal wounded and diabetic wounded fibroblast cells : in vitro studies

- Dhilip Kumar, Sathish Sundar, Houreld, Nicolette Nadene, Abrahamse, Heidi

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