Effect of 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy on the expression of apoptosis inhibitors Bcl-2 and Survivin in keratinocytes of condyloma acuminatum.

BACKGROUND

Condyloma acuminatum is a highly infectious disease caused by the human papillomavirus. Previous studies have shown that 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy can inhibit proliferation of condyloma acuminatum keratinocytes. However, the effect of 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy on condyloma acuminatum tissues has not been systematically studied. Here, we investigated possible molecular mechanisms of 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy in the treatment of condyloma acuminatum and its effect on the expression of apoptosis inhibitors Bcl-2 and Survivin.

METHODS

Immunohistochemistry streptavidin-peroxidase was used to detect the expression of apoptosis inhibitors Bcl-2 and Survivin in condyloma acuminatum keratinocytes before and after the therapy.

RESULTS

The positive expression rates of Bcl-2 and Survivin in condyloma acuminatum keratinocytes before treatment were 87.50% (42/48) and 79.16% (38/48), respectively. The positive expression rates of Bcl-2 and Survivin in condyloma acuminatum keratinocytes after treatment were 37.50% (18/48) and 41.67% (20/48), respectively. The positive expression intensity of Bcl-2 and Survivin in condyloma acuminatum keratinocytes before 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy was mostly ++ to +++, and that after treatment was mostly - to +. There were statistically significant differences in the positive expression rate and the expression intensity of Bcl-2 and Survivin in the two groups before and after 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (P <  0.001). There was a positive correlation between the expression of Bcl-2 and Survivin in condyloma acuminatum tissues after 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (r = 0.480, P <  0.05).

CONCLUSION

5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy may promote apoptosis of condyloma acuminatum cells by reducing the expression of Bcl-2 and Survivin, suggesting that this is potentially one of the molecular mechanisms of 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy in the treatment of condyloma acuminatum.