Assessing the Photodynamic Activity of TmPyP4-Carbon-Nanotube Conjugate in an In Vitro 3D Model of HeLa Cells

Abstract

This master's thesis investigates the inhibitory effects of Verteporfin and TmPyP4 on the metabolic activity of HeLa cells, a type of cervical cancer cell. It analyses how laser irradiation and the uptake of functionalised multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) can enhance drug efficacy. The study demonstrates superior inhibition of TmPyP4 on HeLa cell growth compared to Verteporfin, even without additional treatments, aligning with prior research. However, determining exact IC50 values for both drugs at lower concentrations is challenging due to the complexities of quantifying drug efficacy. The study also highlights laser irradiation's role in enhancing the drugs' effects and shows that a laser at 808nm wavelength is safe for in vitro applications. Further, it uncovers that functionalised MWCNTs slow down cell proliferation without causing significant cell death, suggesting their potential as drug-delivery vehicles. It also shows that functionalised MWCNTs outperform non-functionalized ones in drug delivery, leading to a more significant decline in HeLa cell metabolic activity. Lastly, the study confirms the crucial role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in photodynamic therapy-induced cell death. These findings contribute to understanding therapeutic approaches for cancer involving nanomaterials and laser techniques and guide future research in this rapidly evolving field.