Anticancer phototherapy using activation of E-combretastatins by two-photon–induced isomerization

Hadfield, JA; Bisby, RH; Scherer, KM; Botchway, SW; Parker, AW

Abstract

The photoisomerization of relatively nontoxic E-combretastatins to clinically active Z-isomers is
shown to occur in solution through both one- and two-photon excitations at 340 and 625 nm, respectively.
The photoisomerization is also demonstrated to induce mammalian cell death by a two-photon absorption process
at 625 nm. Unlike conventional photodynamic therapy (PDT), the mechanism of photoisomerization is oxygen-
independent and active in hypoxic environments such as in tumors. The use of red or near-infrared (NIR)
light for two-photon excitation allows greater tissue penetration than conventional UV one-photon excitation. The
results provide a baseline for the development of a novel phototherapy that overcomes nondiscriminative
systemic toxicity of Z-combretastatins and the limitations of PDT drugs that require the presence of oxygen
to promote their activity, with the added benefits of two-photon red or NIR excitation for deeper tissue penetration.

Citation

Hadfield, J., Bisby, R., Scherer, K., Botchway, S., & Parker, A. (2014). Anticancer phototherapy using activation of E-combretastatins by two-photon–induced isomerization. Journal of Biomedical Optics, 20(5), 1004-1. https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JBO.20.5.051004

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 12, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Oct 27, 2014
• Publication Date: Oct 27, 2014
• Deposit Date: Oct 31, 2014
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 5, 2016
• Journal: Journal of Biomedical Optics
• Print ISSN: 1083-3668
• Electronic ISSN: 1560-2281
• Publisher: Society of Photo-optical Instrumentation Engineers
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 20
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 1004-1
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JBO.20.5.051004
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/1.JBO.20.5.051004
• Related Public URLs: http://spie.org/x866.xml
• Additional Information: Access Information : Copyright (2014) Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of the paper are prohibited.; Funders : Rutherford Laboratories