Enhanced efficacy of bleomycin in bladder cancer cells by photochemical internalization.

ABSTRACT: Bleomycin is a cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agent widely used in cancer treatment. However, its efficacy in different cancers is low, possibly due to limited cellular internalization. In this study, a novel approach known as photochemical internalization (PCI) was explored to enhance bleomycin delivery in bladder cancer cells (human T24 and rat AY-27), as bladder cancer is a potential indication for use of PCI with bleomycin. The PCI technique was mediated by the amphiphilic photosensitizer disulfonated tetraphenyl chlorin (TPCS(2a)) and blue light (435 nm). Two additional strategies were explored to further enhance the cytotoxicity of bleomycin; a novel peptide drug ATX-101 which is known to impair DNA damage responses, and the protease inhibitor E-64 which may reduce bleomycin degradation

SUBMITTER: Baglo Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4101207 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature