Abstract
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer globally and the pioneering cause of mortality among women. It usually begins from the ducts or lobules, referred to as ductal carcinoma in situ, or lobular carcinoma in situ. Age, mutations in Breast Cancer Gene 1 or 2 (BRCA1 or BRCA2) genes, and dense breast tissue are the highest risk factors. Current treatments are associated with various side effects, relapse, and a low quality of life. Although conventional treatments, such as surgery and chemotherapy, have been used for decades, their adverse side effects on normal cells and tissues pose a major weakness, which calls for a non-invasive treatment option. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has proven to be a promising form of cancer therapy. It is less invasive, target-specific, and with reduced cytotoxicity to normal cells and tissues. It involves the use of a photosensitizer (PS) and light at a specific wavelength to produce reactive oxygen species. One of the reasons for the target specificity is associated with the dense vascularization of cancer tissues, which tends to increase the surface area for the PS uptake. Photosensitizers are light-sensitive molecules, which result in cancer cell destruction followed by light irradiation. Depending on the localization of the PS within the cancer cell, its destruction may be via apoptosis, necrosis, or autophagy. This review focuses on the breast cancer etiopathology and PDT-induced cell death mechanisms in breast cancer cells.
Highlights
Breast cancer is a complex disease resulting from the uncontrolled growth of cells in the breast, forming a mass or sheet of cells, known as a tumor
This review aims to discuss the influence of Photodynamic therapy (PDT) on breast cancer cell death mechanisms
Necrosis is an energy-independent form of cell death, where the cells are damaged severely by a sudden shock (radiation, heat, chemicals, death, where the cells are damaged severely by a sudden shock For decades, necrosis has always been accepted as the only mode of cell hypoxia, etc.) For decades, necrosis has always been accepted as the only mode of cell death post-PDT treatment
Summary
Breast cancer is a complex disease resulting from the uncontrolled growth of cells in the breast, forming a mass or sheet of cells, known as a tumor. 2) genes, high breast density, family history of the disease, late full-term pregnancy, lack of physical activity, and smoking and alcohol consumption [3,4] Another uncommon yet increasing form of breast cancer is inflammatory breast cancer, which accounts for 1% to. The major disadvantage of the existing therapies is the debilitating side effects, which include chronic pain, failure, and relapse They have been used for decades, survival rate is estimated at 5 years in 80% of cases in high-income countries and only 40%. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a form of light therapy with promising therapeutic prospects for cancer treatment It involves a photosensitizer (PS), visible light at a specific wavelength, and molecular oxygen [10,11]. This review aims to discuss the influence of PDT on breast cancer cell death mechanisms
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