Subcellular co-localization of aluminum (III) phthalocyanine chloride tetrasulphonate with fluorescent markers in the human melanoma cell-line HT-144

Abstract

The exposure of a photosensitizer to visible light, preferably laser light in the red region, in the presence of molecular oxygen results in a photochemical reaction described as photodynamic therapy (PDT). Photodynamic therapy is increasingly used for the treatment of skin cancers. The subcellular localization of the photosensitizer has been shown to be a key factor in the outcome of PDT. Mitochondrial localized photosensitizers are able to induce apoptosis very rapidly. Lysosomal localized photosensitizers can elicit either a necrotic or an apoptotic response. The present work contributes to the classification of the subcellular targets and cell death pathway of PDT using hydrophilic aluminum (III) phthalocyanine chloride tetrasulfonate (AlPcS4).