High energy density LED-based photobiomodulation inhibits squamous cell carcinoma progression in co-cultures in vitro

• Published in: Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology Vol. 199; p. 111592
• Main Authors: Takemoto, Marcos Massaro, Garcez, Aguinaldo Silva, Sperandio, Marcelo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Elsevier B.V 01.10.2019; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Anxiety; Apoptosis; Apoptosis - drug effects; Carcinoma in situ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - radiotherapy; Cell culture; Cell death; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation - drug effects; Cell Survival - drug effects; Cell viability; Co-cultures; Coculture Techniques; Colonies; Early treatment; Fibroblasts; Fibroblasts - cytology; Flux density; Humans; Immunologic Factors - metabolism; Light; Low-Level Light Therapy; Mouth Neoplasms - radiotherapy; OPMD; Oral squamous cell carcinoma; Photobiomodulation; Photochemical Processes - radiation effects; Regression analysis; Squamous cell carcinoma; Stroma; Co-cultures; Carcinoma in situ; Early treatment; OPMD; Photobiomodulation
• ISSN: 1011-1344; 1873-2682
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2019.111592

Current management of oral potentially malignant disorders is careful monitoring. Unfortunately, the ‘watch and wait’ approach only generates anxiety and a feeling of powerlessness, especially to those caring for patients. Photobiomodulation (PBM) has emerged as a potential strategy to inhibit possible transforming cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of LED-based PBM on the progression of malignant invasion into a fibroblast-based stroma. An in vitro model of carcinoma in situ (CIS) containing stromal fibroblasts and carcinoma cells in co-culture was used to study the effect of PBM on the expansion of CIS colonies. A second model of co-culture (cells separated by membrane), was used to study cell counts, viability and apoptosis following PBM at high doses (36 J/cm2). The data was analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis, Dunn's test and non-linear regression, wherever appropriate. PBM was able to inhibit the expansion of CIS colonies as well as the total number of colonies after 72 h of treatment (p < 0.05). Cell viability, apoptosis and death assays revealed an overall advantage of stromal fibroblasts over carcinoma cells after high-dose PBM. In conclusion, LED-based PBM at high doses inhibited the progression and number of oral squamous cell carcinoma colonies without affecting the surrounding stromal fibroblasts in vitro. •Photobiomodulation (PBM) inhibits expansion of oral carcinoma in vitro.•PBM does not inhibit stromal fibroblasts.•Co-cultures behave differently to monocultures when treated with PBM.