In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present-why do cancers fluoresce with 5-aminolaevulinic acid?
Date
2019
Authors
McNicholas, K.
MacGregor, M.N.
Gleadle, J.M.
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Journal article
Citation
British Journal of Cancer, 2019; 121(8):1-9
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Abstract
Photodynamic diagnosis and therapy have emerged as a promising tool in oncology. Using the visible fluorescence from photosensitisers excited by light, clinicians can both identify and treat tumour cells in situ. Protoporphyrin IX, produced in the penultimate step of the haem synthesis pathway, is a naturally occurring photosensitiser that visibly fluoresces when exposed to light. This fluorescence is enhanced considerably by the exogenous administration of the substrate 5-aminolaevulinic acid (5-ALA). Significantly, 5-ALA-induced protoporphyrin IX accumulates preferentially in cancer cells, and this enhanced fluorescence has been harnessed for the detection andphotodynamic treatment of brain, skin and bladder tumours. However, surprisingly little is known about the mechanistic basis for this phenomenon. This review focuses on alterations in the haem pathway in cancer and considers the unique features of the cancer environment, such as altered glucose metabolism, oncogenic mutations and hypoxia, and their potential effects on the protoporphyrin IXphenomenon. A better understanding of why cancer cells fluoresce with 5-ALA would improve its use in cancer diagnostics and therapies.
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Dissertation Note
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Link to a related website: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41416-019-0516-4.pdf, Open Access via Unpaywall
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Copyright 2019 The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Cancer Research UK.