Middle infrared radiation induces G2/M cell cycle arrest in A549 lung cancer cells. PLoS One. 2013;8:e54117. [PMID: 23335992 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0054117]

Smart biomaterials and their potential applications in tissue engineering

Smart biomaterials have been rapidly advancing ever since the concept of tissue engineering was proposed. Interacting with human cells, smart biomaterials can play a key role in novel tissue morphogenesis. Various aspects of biomaterials utilized in or being sought for the goal of encouraging bone regeneration, skin graft engineering, and nerve conduits are discussed in this review. Beginning with bone, this study summarizes all the available bioceramics and materials along with their properties used singly or in conjunction with each other to create scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. A quick overview of the skin-based nanocomposite biomaterials possessing antibacterial properties for wound healing is outlined along with skin regeneration therapies using infrared radiation, electrospinning, and piezoelectricity, which aid in wound healing. Furthermore, a brief overview of bioengineered artificial skin grafts made of various natural and synthetic polymers has been presented. Finally, by examining the interactions between natural and synthetic-based biomaterials and the biological environment, their strengths and drawbacks for constructing peripheral nerve conduits are highlighted. The description of the preclinical outcome of nerve regeneration in injury healed with various natural-based conduits receives special attention. The organic and synthetic worlds collide at the interface of nanomaterials and biological systems, producing a new scientific field including nanomaterial design for tissue engineering.

Cordycepin enhances radiosensitivity to induce apoptosis through cell cycle arrest, caspase pathway and ER stress in MA-10 mouse Leydig tumor cells

Radiotherapy is a localized treatment commonly used in various types of cancer. However, major limitation of radiotherapy is the development of resistance of tumor cells to radiosensitivity. Cordycepin, a predominant functional component of the Cordyceps sinensis, is considered to use in treating tumor cells. In the present study, we investigated the anticancer effect of the combination of radiation and cordycepin in the treatment of Leydig tumor cells. Results showed that the combination treatment has a synergistic effect significantly suppress cell viability and enhance the radiosensitivity in MA-10 mouse Leydig tumor cells. The combination treatment induced MA-10 cell apoptosis through increasing levels of cleaved caspase-3/-8/-9, poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), and cytochrome c and decreasing levels of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2). In addition, prolonged sub-G1 and G2/M arrest accompany with cell cycle-related protein regulation was observed in cells that received the combination treatment. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related protein expressions were regulated after MA-10 cells treating with a combination of 100 μM cordycepin and 4 Gy radiation. Furthermore, the combination treatment also decreased the Leydig tumor mass by increasing cell apoptosis in tumor-bearing mice. In conclusion, cordycepin enhances radiosensitivity to induce mouse Leydig tumor cells toward apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. This study will provide a scientific basis for the development of therapeutic regimen of testicular cancer.

Molecular Mechanism of Malignant Transformation of Balb/c-3T3 Cells Induced by Long-Term Exposure to 1800 MHz Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation (RF-EMR)

Purpose: We aimed to investigate RF-EMR-induced cell malignant transformation. Methods: We divided Balb/c-3T3 cells into sham and expo groups. The expo groups were exposed to a 1800 MHz RF continuous wave for 40 and 60 days, for 4 h per day. The sham group was sham-exposed. Cells were harvested for a cell transformation assay, transplantation in severe combined immune deficient (SCID) mice, soft agar clone formation detection, and a transwell assay. The mRNA microarray assay was used to declare key genes and pathways. Results: The exposed Balb/c-3T3 cells showed a strong increase in cell proliferation and migration. Malignant transformation was observed in expo Balb/c-3T3 cells exposed for 40 days and 60 days, which was symbolized with visible foci and clone formation. Expo Balb/c-3T3 cells that were exposed for 40 days and 60 days produced visible tumors in the SCID mice. Lipid metabolism was the key biological process and pathway involved. The mevalonate (MVA) pathway was the key metabolic pathway. The interacted miRNAs could be further research targets to examine the molecular mechanism of the carcinogenic effects of long-term exposure. Conclusion: Exposure for 40 and 60 days to 1800 MHz RF-EMR induced malignant transformation in Balb/c-3T3 cells at the SAR of 8.0 W/kg. We declared that lipid metabolism was the pivotal biological process and pathway. The MVA pathway was the key metabolic pathway.

Gene Expression Analysis Reveals Key Genes and Signalings Associated with the Prognosis of Prostate Cancer

It is urgent to identify novel biomarkers for prostate cancer (PCa) prognosis and to understand the mechanisms regulating the tumorigenesis for PCa treatment. In this study, GSE17951 and TCGA were used to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Our study demonstrated that 1533 genes with increased expression and 2301 genes with decreased expression in PCa. Bioinformatics analysis data indicated that these up-regulated genes had an association with the modulation of mitotic nuclear division, sister chromatid cohesion, cell division, and cell cycle. Additionally, our results revealed downregulated genes took part in modulating extracellular matrix organization, angiogenesis, signal transduction, and Ras signaling pathway. Hub upregulated and downregulated PPI networks were identified by protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis and MCODE analysis. Of note, 12 cell cycle regulators, comprising CCNB1, CCNB2, PLK1, TTK, AURKA, CDC20, BUB1, PTTG1, CDC45, CDC25C, CCNA2, and BUB1B, were demonstrated to function crucially in PCa development. By detecting their expression in PCa cell lines, we confirmed that these cell cycle regulator expressions were heightened in PCa cells. GEPIA databases analysis showed that higher expression of these cell cycle regulators was correlated to shorter disease-free survival (DFS) time in PCa samples. Our findings collectively suggested targeting cell cycle pathways may offer novel prognosis and treatment biomarkers for PCa.

HDAC6 inhibitor ACY1215 inhibits the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in acute liver failure by regulating the ATM/F-actin signalling pathway

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a rare and critical medical condition. This study was designed to investigate the protective effects and underlying mechanism of ACY1215 in ALF mice. Our findings suggested that ACY1215 treatment ameliorates the pathological hepatic damage of ALF and decreases the serum levels of ALT and AST. Furthermore, ACY1215 pretreatment increased the level of ATM, γ‐H2AX, Chk2, p53, p21, F‐actin and vinculin in ALF. Moreover, ACY1215 inhibited the level of NLRP3, ASC, caspase‐1, IL‐1β and IL‐18 in ALF. The ATM inhibitor KU55933 could decrease the level of ATM, γ‐H2AX, Chk2, p53, p21, F‐actin and vinculin in ALF with ACY1215 pretreatment. The F‐actin inhibitor cytochalasin B decreased the level of F‐actin and vinculin in ALF with ACY1215 pretreatment. However, cytochalasin B had no effect on protein levels of ATM, Chk2, p53 and p21 in ALF with ACY1215 pretreatment. Cytochalasin B could dramatically increase the level of NLRP3, ASC, caspase‐1, IL‐1β and IL‐18 in ALF with ACY1215 pretreatment. These results indicated that ACY1215 exhibited hepatoprotective properties, which was associated with the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome, and this effect of ACY1215 was connected with upregulation of the ATM/F‐actin mediated signalling pathways.

Long-term 1800MHz electromagnetic radiation did not induce Balb/c-3T3 cells malignant transformation

There is an increased public concern about potential health hazards of exposure to electromagnetic radiation (EMR). To declare the carcinogenic effects of 1800 MHz EMR. In this study, Balb/c-3T3 cells were exposed to 1800 MHz EMR for 80 days. The cells were harvested for cell proliferation detection, cell cycle assay, plate clone, and soft agar formation assay, transwell assay, and mRNA microarray detection. 1800 MHz EMR promoted Balb/c-3T3 proliferation. No clones were observed in both plate clone and soft agar clone formation assay. The percentage of cells in S phase in Balb/c-3T3 cells of 80d Expo was obviously higher than the percetage in 80d Sham cells. 80d Expo Balb/c-3T3 cells had stronger migration ability than Sham cells. The mRNA microarray results indicated that cell cycle, cell division, and DNA replication were the main biological processes the significant genes enriched, with higher expression of RPs and Mcms. 1800 MHz EMR promoted Balb/c-3T3 cells proliferation and migration. The mRNA microarray results indicated that cell cycle, cell division, and DNA replication were the main biological processes the significant genes enriched.

Far-infrared radiation stimulates platelet-derived growth factor mediated skeletal muscle cell migration through extracellular matrix-integrin signaling

Despite increased evidence of bio-activity following far-infrared (FIR) radiation, susceptibility of cell signaling to FIR radiation-induced homeostasis is poorly understood. To observe the effects of FIR radiation, FIR-radiated materials-coated fabric was put on experimental rats or applied to L6 cells, and microarray analysis, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and wound healing assays were performed. Microarray analysis revealed that messenger RNA expressions of rat muscle were stimulated by FIR radiation in a dose-dependent manner in amount of 10% and 30% materials-coated. In 30% group, 1,473 differentially expressed genes were identified (fold change [FC] > 1.5), and 218 genes were significantly regulated (FC > 1.5 and p < 0.05). Microarray analysis showed that extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction, focal adhesion, and cell migration-related pathways were significantly stimulated in rat muscle. ECM and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-mediated cell migration-related genes were increased. And, results showed that the relative gene expression of actin beta was increased. FIR radiation also stimulated actin subunit and actin-related genes. We observed that wound healing was certainly promoted by FIR radiation over 48 h in L6 cells. Therefore, we suggest that FIR radiation can penetrate the body and stimulate PDGF-mediated cell migration through ECM-integrin signaling in rats.

Biological effects and medical applications of infrared radiation

Infrared (IR) radiation is electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths between 760nm and 100,000nm. Low-level light therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy generally employs light at red and near-infrared wavelengths (600-100nm) to modulate biological activity. Many factors, conditions, and parameters influence the therapeutic effects of IR, including fluence, irradiance, treatment timing and repetition, pulsing, and wavelength. Increasing evidence suggests that IR can carry out photostimulation and photobiomodulation effects particularly benefiting neural stimulation, wound healing, and cancer treatment. Nerve cells respond particularly well to IR, which has been proposed for a range of neurostimulation and neuromodulation applications, and recent progress in neural stimulation and regeneration are discussed in this review. The applications of IR therapy have moved on rapidly in recent years. For example, IR therapy has been developed that does not actually require an external power source, such as IR-emitting materials, and garments that can be powered by body heat alone. Another area of interest is the possible involvement of solar IR radiation in photoaging or photorejuvenation as opposites sides of the coin, and whether sunscreens should protect against solar IR? A better understanding of new developments and biological implications of IR could help us to improve therapeutic effectiveness or develop new methods of PBM using IR wavelengths.

The effects of narrow-band middle infrared radiation in enhancing the antitumor activity of paclitaxel

Paclitaxel is used as an adjuvant to enhance the effectiveness of ionization radiation therapy; however, high-energy radiation often damages the healthy cells surrounding cancer cells. Low-energy, middle-infrared radiation (MIR) has been shown to prevent tissue damage, and recent studies have begun combining MIR with paclitaxel. However, the cytotoxic effects of this treatment combination remain unclear, and the mechanism underlying its effects on HeLa cells has yet to be elucidated. This study investigated the effectiveness of treating HeLa human cervical cancer cells with a combination of paclitaxel for 48 h in conjunction with narrow-band MIR from 3.0 to 5.0 μm. This combined treatment significantly inhibited the growth of HeLa cells. Specifically, results from Annexin V-FITC/PI apoptosis detection and cell mitochondrial membrane potential analyses revealed an increase in apoptotic cell death and a collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential. One possible mechanism underlying cellular apoptosis is an increase in oxidative stress. These preliminary findings provide evidence to support the combination of narrow-band MIR with paclitaxel as an alternative approach in the treatment of human cervical cancer.

Trichosanthes kirilowii fruits inhibit non-small cell lung cancer cell growth through mitotic cell-cycle arrest

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 80% of lung cancer cases and the reported overall 5-year survival rate is less than 5%. Natural medicines have attracted much attention due to their lower toxicity and fewer side effects. Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim (TKM) fruits are commonly used in cancer treatment in combination with other Chinese medicinal herbs. However, little is known about their biological functions and mechanisms in NSCLC cells. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of TKM fruits in NSCLC cells using cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and anchorage independent assays and a Xenograft NSCLC tumor model, and explored the possible biological mechanism by flow cytometric analysis, cDNA microarray and real-time PCR. Results showed that TKM fruits significantly suppressed NSCLC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, tumorigenicity and tumor growth, and significantly extended the survival time of NSCLC-bearing mice. Flow cytometric analysis showed that TKM fruits significantly induced G2-M arrest, necrosis and apoptosis in NSCLC cells. cDNA microarray analysis revealed that TKM fruits regulated the differential expression of 544 genes, and the differential expression of selected genes was also confirmed. Gene ontology (GO) analysis showed that 18 of first 20 biological processes were involved in cell cycle and mitosis. These results indicate that TKM fruits have certain inhibitory effect on NSCLC cells through cell-cycle and mitosis arrest, and suggest that TKM fruits may be an important resource for developing new antitumor drugs, and a potent natural product for treating patients with NSCLC.

Integrating transcriptomics and proteomics to show that tanshinone IIA suppresses cell growth by blocking glucose metabolism in gastric cancer cells

Background

Tanshinone IIA (TIIA) is a diterpene quinone extracted from the plant Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine. It has been reported to have anti-tumor potential against several kinds of cancer, including gastric cancer. In most solid tumors, a metabolic switch to glucose is a hallmark of cancer cells, which do this to provide nutrients for cell proliferation. However, the mechanism associated with glucose metabolism by which TIIA acts on gastric cancer cells remains to be elucidated.

Results

We found that TIIA treatment is able to significantly inhibit cell growth and the proliferation of gastric cancer in a dose-dependent manner. Using next-generation sequencing-based RNA-seq transcriptomics and quantitative proteomics-isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ), we characterized the mechanism of TIIA regulation in gastric cancer cell line AGS. In total, 16,603 unique transcripts and 102 proteins were identified. After enrichment analysis, we found that TIIA regulated genes are involved in carbohydrate metabolism, the cell cycle, apoptosis, DNA damage and cytoskeleton reorganization. Our proteomics data revealed the downregulation of intracellular ATP levels, glucose-6-phosphate isomerase and L-lactate dehydrogenase B chains by TIIA, which might work with disorders of glucose metabolism and extracellular lactate levels to suppress cell proliferation. The up-regulation of p53 and down-regulation of AKT was shown in TIIA- treated cells, which indicates the transformation of oncogenes. Severe DNA damage, cell cycle arrest at the G₂/M transition and apoptosis with cytoskeleton reorganization were detected in TIIA-treated gastric cancer cells.

Conclusions

Combining transcriptomics and proteomics results, we propose that TIIA treatment could lead cell stresses, including nutrient deficiency and DNA damage, by inhibiting the glucose metabolism of cancer cells. This study provides an insight into how the TIIA regulatory metabolism in gastric cancer cells suppresses cell growth, and may help improve the development of cancer therapy.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-1230-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Quantitative proteomics reveals middle infrared radiation-interfered networks in breast cancer cells

Breast cancer is one of the leading cancer-related causes of death worldwide. Treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is complex and challenging, especially when metastasis has developed. In this study, we applied infrared radiation as an alternative approach for the treatment of TNBC. We used middle infrared (MIR) with a wavelength range of 3-5 μm to irradiate breast cancer cells. MIR significantly inhibited cell proliferation in several breast cancer cells but did not affect the growth of normal breast epithelial cells. We performed iTRAQ-coupled LC-MS/MS analysis to investigate the MIR-triggered molecular mechanisms in breast cancer cells. A total of 1749 proteins were identified, quantified, and subjected to functional enrichment analysis. From the constructed functionally enriched network, we confirmed that MIR caused G2/M cell cycle arrest, remodeled the microtubule network to an astral pole arrangement, altered the actin filament formation and focal adhesion molecule localization, and reduced cell migration activity and invasion ability. Our results reveal the coordinative effects of MIR-regulated physiological responses in concentrated networks, demonstrating the potential implementation of infrared radiation in breast cancer therapy.

Prognostic significance of G2/M arrest signaling pathway proteins in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients

The aim of the present study was to retrospectively assess the correlation between the expression levels of proteins involved in G2/M arrest signaling pathways in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissue, as determined by immunohistochemical (IHC) methods, and the overall survival of patients with advanced stage NSCLC. IHC analysis of advanced NSCLC specimens was used to determine the expression levels of proteins involved in G2/M arrest signaling pathways, including ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase, ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) kinase, checkpoint kinase (Chk) 1, Chk2, cell division cycle 25C (Cdc25C), total cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1) and active Cdk1 signaling pathways, the latter of which refers to dephospho-Cdk1 (Tyr15) and phospho-Cdk1 (Thr161). Patients were enrolled continuously and followed up for ≥2 years. Univariate analysis demonstrated that the protein expression levels of dephospho-Cdk1 (P=0.015) and phospho-Cdk1 (P=0.012) exhibited prognostic significance, while the expression of the other proteins was not significantly associated with patient survival (ATM, P=0.843; ATR, P=0.245; Chk1, P=0.341; Chk2, P=0.559; Cdc25C, P=0.649; total Cdk1, P=0.093). Furthermore, the patients with tumors exhibiting low expression levels of active Cdk1 survived significantly longer than those with tumors exhibiting high active Cdk1 expression levels (P<0.05). In addition, Cox regression analysis demonstrated that the expression of active Cdk1 [odds ratio (OR), 0.624; 95% confidence ratio (CI), 0.400–0.973; P=0.038] and the pathological tumor-node-metastasis stage (OR, 0.515; 95% CI, 0.297–0.894; P=0.018) were significant independent prognostic factors for NSCLC. Therefore, the results of the present study indicated that active Cdk1 protein is an independent prognostic factor for advanced NSCLC and may validate Cdk1 as a therapeutic target for advanced NSCLC patients.

Increasing radiosensitivity with the downregulation of cofilin-1 in U251 human glioma cells

The aim of the present study was to examine the association between cofilin-1 (CFL1) and radioresistance in human glioma U251 cells. CFL1 expression was downregulated and upregulated in U251 cells through the transfection of CFL1-small interfering (si)RNA and pcDNA3.1-CFL1, respectively. The radiosensitivity of U251 cells and established radioresistant U251 cells (RR-U251) was evaluated using cell viability, migration and invasion ability assays. Cell cycle distribution was also examined. The results showed that CFL1 expression was significantly increased in RR-U251 cells; in addition, the cell viability, migration and invasion ability of RR-U251 cells were significantly enhanced compared to those of the normal U251 cells, whereas the number of cells arrested in G2 phase was markedly decreased. In CFL1-silenced RR-U251 and CFL1-silenced U251 cells, the cell viability, migration and invasion abilities were significantly downregulated and the number of cells arrested in G2 phase was increased compared to that of the untransfected cells. In U251 cells overexpressing CFL1, cell viability, migration and invasion abilities were markedly upregulated and the number of cells arrested in G2 phase was decreased. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that downregulation of CFL1 may increase radiosensitivity in U251 cells.

miR-15b/16-2 regulates factors that promote p53 phosphorylation and augments the DNA damage response following radiation in the lung

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are regulatory RNAs frequently dysregulated in disease and following cellular stress. Investigators have described changes in miR-15b expression following exposure to several stress-inducing anticancer agents, including ionizing radiation (IR), etoposide, and hydrogen peroxide. However, the role for miR-15b as a mediator of cellular injury in organs such as the lung has yet to be explored. In this study, we examined miR-15b expression patterns as well as its potential role in DNA damage and repair in the setting of IR exposure. We showed that miR-15b is up-regulated in a dose- and time-dependent manner in human bronchial epithelial cells following IR. miR-15b expression was highest after 2 h of IR and decreased gradually. Survival rates following IR were also higher in miR-15b/16-2-overexpressing cells. Cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase and an increased DNA repair response were observed in IR-exposed miR-15b/16-2 stable cells. We observed an up-regulation of components of the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM)/Chek1/p53 pathway in miR-15b/16-2-overexpressing cells after IR. Moreover, a pathway-based PCR expression array of genes demonstrated that miR-15b/16-2 overexpression significantly induced the expression of genes involved in ATM/ataxia telangiectasia and Rad-3-related (ATR) signaling, apoptosis, the cell cycle, and DNA repair pathways. Here we demonstrated a novel biological link between miR-15b and DNA damage and cellular protection in lung cells. We identified Wip1 (PPM1D) as a functional target for miR-15b and determined that miR-15b induction of the DNA damage response is partially dependent upon suppression of Wip1. Our study suggests that miR-15b/Wip1 could be a potential therapeutic target in radiation-induced lung disease.

Molecular action mechanisms of solar infrared radiation and heat on human skin

The generation of ROS underlies all solar infrared-affected therapeutic and pathological cutaneous effects. The signaling pathway NF-kB is responsible for the induced therapeutic effects, while the AP-1 for the pathological effects. The different signaling pathways of infrared-induced ROS and infrared-induced heat shock ROS were shown to act independently multiplying the influence on each other by increasing the doses of irradiation and/or increasing the temperature. The molecular action mechanisms of solar infrared radiation and heat on human skin are summarized and discussed in detail in the present paper. The critical doses are determined. Protection strategies against infrared-induced skin damage are proposed.

CCT128930 induces cell cycle arrest, DNA damage, and autophagy independent of Akt inhibition

PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway plays an important role in tumor progression and anti-cancer drug resistance. The aim of the present study is to determine the antitumor effect of CCT128930, a novel small molecule inhibitor of Akt, in the HepG2 hepatoma cancer cells. Our results showed that at low concentrations, CCT128930 increased, but not inhibited, the phosphorylation of Akt in HepG2 and A549 cells. CCT128930 inhibited cell proliferation by inducing cell cycle arrest in G1 phase through downregulation of cyclinD1 and Cdc25A, and upregulation of p21, p27 and p53. A higher dose (20 μM) of CCT128930 triggered cell apoptosis with activation of caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP. Treatment with CCT128930 increased phosphorylation of ERK and JNK in HepG2 cells. CCT128930 activated DNA damage response of HepG2 cell characterized by phosphorylation of H2AX, ATM (ataxia-telangiectasia mutated), Chk1 and Chk2. Upon exposure to CCT128930 at a higher concentration, HepG2 cells exhibited autophagy was accompanied by an increase the levels of LC3-II and Beclin-1. Blocking autophagy using chloroquine magnified CCT128930-induced apoptotic cell death and the phosphorylation of H2AX. The results in this study have advanced our current understandings of the anti-cancer mechanisms of CCT128930 in cancer cells.

Correlation between expression of CDC25A and Doppler ultrasound features in primary hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To investigate the expression of cell division cycle 25A (CDC25A) in primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) and to explore its relationship with Doppler ultrasound imaging features.

METHODS: The expression of CDC25A in 86 PHC specimens and matched tumor-adjacent tissue specimens was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. The imaging features of PHC was analyzed by Doppler ultrasound.

RESULTS: CDC25A was found to be overexpressed in 75.58% (65/86) of PHC cases (P < 0.05). The expression of CDC25A protein was significantly correlated with Doppler ultrasound imaging features including tumor size, blood flow grade, resistance index (RI) and portal vein invasion (all P < 0.05), but not with the number of liver tumor nodes (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: CDC25A may play an important role in the development and metastasis of PHC. Detection of CDC25A expression combined with ultrasound imaging may be used clinically for evaluation of treatment response and prognosis in PHC patients.