Phenalenone-photodynamic therapy induces apoptosis on human tumor cells mediated by caspase-8 and p38-MAPK activation.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a rising and hopeful treatment for solid tumors and others malignancies. PDT uses harmless visible light to activate a tumor-associated photosensitizer (PS). The excited PS generates cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) that induce damage and death of tumor cells.