Analysis of Mitochondrial Activity Related to Cell Death after PDT with AlPCS4

Objective: The aim of this study was to report that photodynamic therapy (PDT) with mitochondria-associated chloroaluminum phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate (AlPcS4) leads to significant alterations in this organelle. Background Data: PDT is a viable treatment modality for a variety of tumors, as well as for some non-oncologic diseases. The procedure submits cells or tissue to a photosensitizing drug followed by light irradiation of appropriate wavelength, usually in the red area or close to infrared, and compatible with the drug absorption spectrum, inducing the apoptotic process. However, the precise mechanism of PDT-induced apoptosis is not well characterized. Several cellular organelles can be postulated as the target for PDT with different photosensitizers such as plasmatic membrane, nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complex, and others. The mitochondrion is the main target in PDT because it is the main organelle involved in apoptosis. One of the main agents is cytochrome c, a proapopto...