Effects of hypericin-mediated photodynamic therapy on GM-CSF, MIF, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 secretion in colorectal cancer cells in vitro

Introduction and aim. Photodynamic therapy with hypericin (HYP-PDT) is gaining importance as a potential treatment method for malignant neoplasms. The following study investigated whether HYP-PDT influences the secretion of certain factors of colon cancer cells in vitro. Material and methods. Two colon cancer cell lines were used in this experiment: SW480 and SW620. The cells were properly prepared and then treated with photodynamic therapy with hypericin at concentrations of 0.25 µM and 0.5 µM and irradiation at the doses of 1 J/cm2 , 5 J/cm2 and 10 J/cm2 . After using HYP-PDT, changes in the concentrations of four factors: GM-CSF, MIF, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 were analyzed in the test tubes. Results. In the case of SW480 cells: a notable decrease in GM-CSF, MIF, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 secretion was noted after HYP-PDT. In the case of SW620 cells, after HYP-PDT: no effect on GM-CSF secretion was noted; it inhibited the secretion of VCAM-1 and MIF and increased the secretion of ICAM-1. Conclusion. Photodynamic therapy with hypericin shows immunomodulatory potential in an in vitro cell line experiments. This may indicate its possible ability to modify the course of malignant tumors and therefore requires further research.