Fig. 8
From: Phototherapy in cancer treatment: strategies and challenges
The mechanisms that combined PDT and PTT synergistic. PDT can enhance the sensitivity of cancer cells to heat, while the local hyperthermia induced by PTT increases the cells’ susceptibility to PDT. Both PDT and PTT can increase the permeability of tumor vasculature, improving oxygen saturation within the tumor tissue and enhancing drug distribution. Additionally, both therapies reduce the density of collagen in the ECM of tumors, softening the ECM and allowing for more effective drug penetration into the tumor. PDT photodynamic therapy. PTT photothermal therapy. ROS reactive oxygen species. ATP adenosine triphosphate. ABCG2 ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 2. HCP-1 heme carrier protein 1. HSP90 heat shock proteins 90. HIF-1, hypoxia-inducible factor-1. PARP, poly-ADP-ribose polymerase. PS, photosensitizers. ECM extracellular matrix. The figure was created with BioRender.com
