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Justiniano R, de Faria Lopes L, Perer J, Hua A, Park SL, Jandova J, Baptista MS, Wondrak GT. The Endogenous Tryptophan-derived Photoproduct 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole (FICZ) is a Nanomolar Photosensitizer that Can be Harnessed for the Photodynamic Elimination of Skin Cancer Cells in Vitro and in Vivo. Photochem Photobiol 2020; 97:180-191. [PMID: 32767762 DOI: 10.1111/php.13321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
UV-chromophores contained in human skin may act as endogenous sensitizers of photooxidative stress and can be employed therapeutically for the photodynamic elimination of malignant cells. Here, we report that 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole (FICZ), a tryptophan-derived photoproduct and endogenous aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist, displays activity as a nanomolar sensitizer of photooxidative stress, causing the photodynamic elimination of human melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. FICZ is an efficient UVA/Visible photosensitizer having absorbance maximum at 390 nm (ε = 9180 L mol-1 cm-1 ), and fluorescence and singlet oxygen quantum yields of 0.15 and 0.5, respectively, in methanol. In a panel of cultured human squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma skin cancer cells (SCC-25, HaCaT-ras II-4, A375, G361, LOX), photodynamic induction of cell death was elicited by the combined action of solar simulated UVA (6.6 J cm-2 ) and FICZ (≥10 nm), preceded by the induction of oxidative stress as substantiated by MitoSOX Red fluorescence microscopy, comet detection of Fpg-sensitive oxidative genomic lesions and upregulated stress response gene expression (HMOX1, HSPA1A, HSPA6). In SKH1 "high-risk" mouse skin, an experimental FICZ/UVA photodynamic treatment regimen blocked the progression of UV-induced tumorigenesis suggesting feasibility of harnessing FICZ for the photooxidative elimination of malignant cells in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Justiniano
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy and UA Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Lohanna de Faria Lopes
- Biochemistry Department, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jessica Perer
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy and UA Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Anh Hua
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy and UA Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Sophia L Park
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy and UA Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Jana Jandova
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy and UA Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Maurício S Baptista
- Biochemistry Department, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Georg T Wondrak
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy and UA Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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