Dual-Functionalized Nanoliposomes Achieve a Synergistic Chemo-Phototherapeutic Effect.

The enhancement of photodynamic therapy (PDT) effectiveness by combining it with other treatment modalities and improved drug delivery has become an interesting field in cancer research. We have prepared and characterized nanoliposomes containing the chemotherapeutic drug irinotecan (CPT11), the photodynamic agent protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), or their combination (CPT11-PpIX). The effects of individual and bimodal (chemo-phototherapeutic) treatments on HeLa cells have been studied by a combination of biological and photophysical studies.

Photosensitive EGFR-Targeted Nanocarriers for Combined Photodynamic and Local Chemotherapy.

The major limitation of any cancer therapy lies in the difficulty of precisely controlling the localization of the drug in the tumor cells. To improve this drawback, our study explores the use of actively-targeted chemo-photo-nanocarriers that recognize and bind to epidermal growth factor receptor-overexpressing cells and promote the local on-demand release of the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin triggered by light. Our results show that the attachment of high concentrations of doxorubicin to cetuximab-IRDye700DX-mesoporous silica nanoparticles yields efficient and selective photokilling of EGFR-expressing cells mainly through singlet oxygen-induced release of the doxorubicin from the nanocarrier and without any dark toxicity.

Risk factors for early-onset basal cell carcinomas and the trend towards their female predominance.

Background: A dramatic rise in the incidence rates of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in young women has been reported.

Objectives: We investigate potential risk factors (RF) for sporadic BCC in young patients and the current distribution of such RF in the general population of Catalonia, comparing the differences among men and women.

Patients And Methods: A case-control study was performed, 69 BCCs diagnosed in patients ≤ 45 years of age vs.