Foscan® (mTHPC) photosensitized macrophage activation: enhancement of phagocytosis, nitric oxide release and tumour necrosis factor-α-mediated cytolytic activity

Photodynamic activation of macrophage-like cells contributes to an effective outcome of photodynamic therapy (PDT) treatment. The possibility for an enhancement of macrophage activity by photosensitization with meta-tetra(hydroxyphenyl)chlorin (mTHPC) (1 μg ml−1) was studied in U937, monocyte cell line differentiated into macrophages (U937Φ cells). Phagocytic activity of U937Φ cells was evaluated by flow-cytometry monitoring of ingestion of fluorescein-labelled Escherichia coli particles. Increase in irradiation fluence up to 3.45 mJ cm−2 (corresponding irradiation time 15 s) resulted in significant increase in fluorescence signal (145%), while at higher light fluences the signal lowered down to the untreated control values. A light energy-dependent production of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) by photosensitized macrophages was further demonstrated using the L929 assay. The maximum TNF-α mediated cytolysis was observed at 28 mJ cm−2 and was 1.7-fold greater than that in control. In addition, we demonstrated a fluence-dependent increase in nitric oxide (NO) production by mTHPC-photosensitized macrophages. NO release increased gradually and reached a plateau after irradiation fluence of 6.9 mJ cm−2. Cytotoxicity measurements indicated that the observed manifestations of mTHPC-photosensitized macrophage activation took place under the sublethal light doses. The relevance of the present findings to clinical mTHPC-PDT is discussed. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaig

Vaccinal Prevention of the Diseases Caused by Human Papillomavirus: Evidence-Based Medicine. Review of Clinical Guidelines

The article is devoted to the urgent problem of papillomavirus infection, the extremely high prevalence of which determines the key contribution to the structure of morbidity and mortality from oncological diseases. A chronic persistent course, resulting in benign and malignant tumors in the infection atrium, makes scientists seek new ways of treatment. A specific vaccinal prevention is recognized to be the only reliable protection method today. The article is an updated review of the clinical guidelines developed and approved by the professional association «Union of Pediatricians of Russia» in 2016 for a vaccinal prevention of the diseases caused by human papillomavirus, first published on pediatr-russia.ru. The widespread introduction of vaccines against human papillomavirus, which have confirmed the clinical efficacy and safety, can significantly reduce the global burden of diseases associated with papillomavirus infection