Development of a technique combining photobiomodulation and radiotherapy to optimize tumor response to ionizing radiation: analysis of the cell cycle altered by light

• Grant number: 18/01585-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2018
• End date: December 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biophysics - Radiology and Photobiology
• Principal Investigator: Vanderlei Salvador Bagnato
• Grantee: André Luiz Tirollo dos Santos
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/07276-1 - CEPOF - Optics and Photonic Research Center, AP.CEPID

Abstract

This work is part of a more complete project, which is intended to use light to modulate the cell cycle and, through this, optimize radiotherapy in the therapy of tumors. In this context, analyze the cellular changes that can be promoted by the modulation induced by absorption of light is an important part. These changes are in fact known, but the alteration of the cell population by switching a high number of cells to a certain phase of the cell cycle has not been demonstrated yet. This is the part that belongs to this project. For this, SCC-25 cells will be used, which will be exposed to laser lights operating at 660 nm and 780 nm. Special markers will allow labeling of cells in different metabolic phases that will be determined by flow cytometry. The work is unconventional and will rate populations of cells, which is important for therapeutic actions, such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Comparative methods will allow the differentiation and the quantification of population variations, such as function of time and dose of light. The results of this project will make an important contribution to the understanding of macroscopic consequences of cellular modulation. (AU)