Differential expression of VEGF and IL-1alpha after photodynamic treatment in combination with doxorubicin or taxotere.

Aim: To show the impact of chemotherapeutic drugs doxorubicin and taxotere on the molecular pattern of cell response to photodynamic treatment (PDT). Materials and Methods: Human squamous cell carcinoma cells A-431 were studied. Apoptosis was investigated by recording caspase-3 activity. Expression of IL-1alpha and VEGF on mRNA and protein levels was measured by gPCR and ELISA. Res PDT in combination with either doxorubicin or taxotere was found to be more cytotoxic in comparison to either single-treatment. The expression of IL-Ialpha and VEGF was up-regulated in PDT-treated cells, either alone or in combination with doxorubicin or taxotere. Addition of doxorubicin to the cytokine induction after PDT was not detected, however, taxotere promoted significant over-expression of IL-Ialpha and VEGF on the protein level. Conclusion: Contribution of chemotherapeutic drugs to IL-1 alpha and LIEGE release from cells which received dual treatment involving PDT could be significantly different, despite the same level of cytotoxiciiy.