Inhibition of autophagy enhances apoptosis induced by Ce6-photodynamic therapy in human colon cancer cells.

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Chlorin e6 photodynamic therapy (Ce6-PDT) in human colorectal cancer cells and investigate the role of autophagy in Ce6-PDT.

Methods: SW480 cells underwent Ce6-PDT with and without pretreatment with the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3MA). Cell viability was assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay.