Photosensitivity and Radiosensitivity of Indocyanine Green on Human Cell Lines MCF7 and DFW

Background & Aims: In this study with the aim of benefiting from non-laser sources in photodynamic therapy, photo and radio sensitivity of indocyanine green as a sensitizer in photodynamic and radiation therapies were investigated. Methods: Based on the broad absorption peak of indocyanine green and using non-coherent light, the experiments were performed on human cells derived from breast cancer and melanoma. To investigate chemical, optical and radiational cytotoxicity and also photosensitivity and radiosensitivity of indocyanine green, different dozes of this material were examined. After 24 h of incubation of cells with indocyanine green, independent treatment groups were exposed to 730±20 nm light with power densities of 30, 60, and 108 J/cm2 and 100 kVp x-ray (2 and 4 Gy). The effect of therapy on cells was determined by MTT test. Results: Indocyanine green showed no significant cytotoxicity. It had a good efficiency for photodynamic therapy using non-coherent sources in the wavelength of 730±20 nm, and the efficiency of treatment was dependent on the dosage of light. No significant relation between indocyanine green and radiation was observed. Conclusion: According to the findings, indocyanine green can be used as a photosensitizer in the range of 730±20 nm. Since there was no significant difference between groups which received both radiation and drug and those which received only radiation, indocyanine green cannot be considered as a radiosensitizer.