Abstract

Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a form of low-dose light therapy that acts through energy delivery from non-ionizing sources. During the recent two decades, there has been tremendous progress with PBM acceptance in medicine. However, PBM effects on potential stimulation of existing malignant or pre-malignant cells remain unknown. Thus, the primary endpoint was to assess the safety of PBM treatment parameters on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) proliferation or survival. The secondary endpoint was to assess any putative anti-cancer effects of PBM treatments. Cell viability, energy metabolism, oxidative stress, and pro- and anti-apoptotic markers expression were investigated on a Human Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma cellular model (OHSU-974 FAcorr cell line). PBM therapy was administered through the 810 nm diode laser (GaAlAs) device (Garda Laser, 7024 Negrar, Verona, Italy) at the powers of 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, or 1.25 W in continuous wave (CW) mode for an exposure time of 60 s with a spot-size of 1 cm2 and with a distance of 1.86 cm from the cells. Results showed that 810-nm PBM affected oxidative phosphorylation in OHSU-971 FAcorr, causing a metabolic switch to anaerobic glycolysis. In addition, PBM reduced the catalase activity, determining an unbalance between oxidative stress production and the antioxidant defenses, which could stimulate the pro-apoptotic cellular pathways. Our data, at the parameters investigated, suggest the safeness of PBM as a supportive cancer therapy. Pre-clinical and clinical studies are necessary to confirm the in vitro evidence.

Highlights

  • IntroductionPhotobiomodulation (PBM) is a low-dose light therapy form, which affects cell metabolism through energy delivery from non-ionizing sources [1]

  • The effects of an 808 nm laser on OHSU-974 mitochondrial energy metabolism were evaluated in terms of ATP synthesis and oxygen consumption rate (OCR) after 24 and 48 h from irradiation at different powers (0.25–1.25 W)

  • Despite the limitations of the in vitro experimental setup, our results consistently showed the harmful effect of 808-nm PBM on the OHSU-974 FAcorr

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Summary

Introduction

Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a low-dose light therapy form, which affects cell metabolism through energy delivery from non-ionizing sources [1]. Photons in the visible and near-infrared spectrum can excite organic molecules, such as iron-sulfur and heme proteins, cytochromes, and porphyrins. These chromophores into the non-plant cells can receive and transform photonic illumination into biochemical energy [2]. The mitochondrial electron transport complexes, especially complex IV, play a pivotal role in visible and NIR light–cell interaction [3,4,5,6]. The roles of water [7], lipids [8], Biomedicines 2021, 9, 1717.

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