Temperature-dependent impact of thermal aminolaevulinic acid photodynamic therapy on apoptosis and reactive oxygen species generation in human dermal fibroblasts.

BACKGROUND

Actinic keratoses (AKs) are generally accepted as common precursor lesions to invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a common, in-office, field therapy modality used in the treatment of AKs. Clinical and laboratory observations have demonstrated that temperature modulation can affect PDT efficacy.

OBJECTIVES

To demonstrate thermal PDT increases apoptotic cell death, and to investigate the mechanistic role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) free radicals in an in vitro human skin fibroblast model.

METHODS

This study was completed using commercially available primary human skin fibroblasts treated with aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) at specific concentrations and controlled temperatures. Cell death, apoptosis and superoxide ROS levels were quantified.

RESULTS

We found that thermal PDT with 0·5 mmol L(-1) ALA resulted in significant temperature-dependent increases in total apoptosis and superoxide ROS generation between 33 °C and 42 °C.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that thermal PDT significantly increases apoptotic cell death through increased generation of superoxide ROS in a temperature-dependent manner.