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European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology

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01-03-2015 | Head and Neck

Photosensitizing effects of hypericin on head neck squamous cell carcinoma in vitro

Authors: Wiebke Laffers, Ann-Christin Busse, Jens Mahrt, Phuc Nguyen, Andreas O. H. Gerstner, Friedrich Bootz, Johannes T. Wessels

Published in: European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology | Issue 3/2015

Abstract

Clinical outcome of patients suffering from head neck squamous cell carcinomas is still poor due to recurrent disease and surgical limitations. There is still a demand for multimodality approaches and new therapeutic options. Hypericin is a promising phototoxic drug which was investigated for its effects on head neck squamous cell carcinoma cells in vitro. FaDu cells incubated with or without hypericin were illuminated (450–700 nm, 50,000 lx) for different time periods. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide- and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay were used to score metabolic and apoptotic activity. Even after the shortest illumination FaDu cells incubated with hypericin showed massive reduction of metabolism and excessive apoptosis. This was present even with the lowest hypericin concentration. Cells without hypericin or without illumination were not affected. These photosensitizing effects of hypericin could be suitable for clinical application and could lead to the development of an intraoperative photodynamic therapy of head neck squamous cell carcinomas.

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Title: Photosensitizing effects of hypericin on head neck squamous cell carcinoma in vitro
Authors: Wiebke Laffers
Ann-Christin Busse
Jens Mahrt
Phuc Nguyen
Andreas O. H. Gerstner
Friedrich Bootz
Johannes T. Wessels
Publication date: 01-03-2015
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology / Issue 3/2015
Print ISSN: 0937-4477
Electronic ISSN: 1434-4726
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-014-2984-8

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Photosensitizing effects of hypericin on head neck squamous cell carcinoma in vitro

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

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Abstract

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