Action of heat shock proteins in photodynamic therapy

• Grant number: 10/09343-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2010
• End date: January 31, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biophysics - Radiology and Photobiology
• Principal Investigator: Cristina Pacheco Soares
• Grantee: Eriane Eller de Siqueira
• Host Institution: Instituto de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento (IP&D). Universidade do Vale do Paraíba (UNIVAP). São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

There are several studies in an attempt to treat / cure cancer, many alternative treatments have been developed, among which include Photodynamic Therapy which has been widely used in Europe, USA and some countries in South America. Application Photodynamic Therapy however, has some points that need to be clarified: the type of photosynthetic (by way of administration, how to prepare, the therapeutic concentration), the radiation source (type of irradiation parameters: wavelength, energy, time of exposure, pulse duration, pulse rate), methods for determining the biological response, among others. In this project, aiming to better understand these mechanisms, we propose to evaluate the involvement of heat shock proteins after treatment with different photosensitizers in vitro model. To be used both already approved for PDT photosensitizers and new photosensitizers associated with nanotechnology, with the goal of enhancing the interaction of these cells with tumor cells.