Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and Photodynamic Therapy

The use of photodynamic therapy (PDT) that is considered as a promising treatment in the clinic for use in oncology was discussed. PDT requires three elements mainly light, a photosensitizer and oxygen. It was found that PDT could transcriptionally induce or enhance hypoxia-inducible factor - 1α (HIF-1α) expression in different cervical cancer cell lines, immortalized cervical epithelium cell line 183A and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). PDT activated HIF - 1α protein expression was markedly inhibited and subsequently sensitized SiHa cells to PDT. The results provided important information to improve the therapeutic efficacy and had great clinical applicable potential.