Hypericin photoactivation induces triple-negative breast cancer cells pyroptosis by targeting the ROS/CALR/Caspase-3/GSDME pathway.

Introduction: Hypericin (HP), a natural photosensitizer, has demonstrated great efficacy in photodynamic therapy (PDT) for cancer treatment. In addition to the induction of apoptosis and necrosis through reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, the therapeutic mechanisms and targets of PDT-HP remain unknown.

Objectives: To investigate the direct targets and mechanisms of action of photoactivated hypericin in the inhibition of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).