Abstract
SignificanceThere are seldom studies on the determination of cancer treatment efficacy related to normal hormonal tumor microenvironment on triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). This study aimed to determine Hexyl-ALA-PDT efficacy on TNBC in a simulated hormonal microenvironment. ApproachThe 3D spheroids of TNBC cells (MDA-MB-231) were generated in the hormonal supplemented microenvironment. The accumulation of PpIX, phototoxicity, the ROS level and p-ULK1 expression level mediated by Hexyl-ALA-PDT were determined by confocal microscopy, MTT assay and flow cytometry. ResultsA lower Hexyl-ALA concentration was required to achieve the same lethal dose of LD50 with hormonal supplement in 3D spheroids. It was found that the ROS level was increased at lower Hexyl-ALA-PDT dose in hormonal microenvironment, which also correlated the decrease of p-ULK1 expression by PDT. ConclusionsHexyl-ALA-PDT increased ROS level in TNBC in hormonal microenvironment; and with the reduced p-ULK1 expression thus indicating autophagy of cell death might be triggered.
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