抗击癌症之光——光动力治疗

Lighting the Way Against Cancer:Photodynamic Therapy

光动力治疗是利用“光敏剂”和“光”治疗肿瘤的一种新方法,用特定波长的光照射肿瘤部位,可以使聚集在肿瘤的光敏剂活化,产生高氧化性的活性氧而破坏肿瘤。与手术治疗、化疗、辐射治疗相比,光动力治疗具有操作简单、靶向性好、无创或微创、无耐药性、可激活全身免疫等特点。该治疗方法在发达国家已基本普及,目前在我国正处于推广阶段,公众对光动力治疗还不甚了解,因此急需进行科学普及。在此背景下,我们利用实验室化学合成的靶向型“硒-罗丹明”光敏剂,设计了肿瘤靶向的光动力治疗科普实验,包括靶向光敏剂的酶激活,单线态氧的可视化检测以及光动力杀死癌细胞三个环节。通过该科普实验,生动诠释了靶向型光动力治疗的科学原理,提高了公众对光动力治疗癌症的认知,将大大促进光动力治疗在我国的推广,也体现了化学在肿瘤治疗方面的重要作用。整个科普实验操作简单、形象直观,并在科普实践中显示出良好效果。

Photodynamic therapy(PDT)emerges as a novel approach to treat tumors utilizing“photosensitizers”and“light”.This method involves exposing the tumor site to specific wavelengths of light,activating photosensitizers concentrated in the tumor to generate highly oxidizing reactive oxygen species,ultimately dismantling the tumor.In comparison to surgery,chemotherapy,and radiation therapy,PDT boasts simplicity in operation,precise targeting,minimal invasiveness,lack of drug resistance,and the ability to trigger systemic immunity.While PDT has gained widespread adoption in developed nations,its promotion in China is still underway,hampered by a lack of public understanding.In response,we present a popular science experiment elucidating tumor-targeted photodynamic therapy using a laboratory-synthesized selenium-Rhodamine photosensitizer.The experiment encompasses enzyme activation of targeted photosensitizers,visual detection of singlet oxygen,and the photodynamic eradication of cancer cells.This experiment vividly illustrates the scientific principles behind targeted photodynamic therapy,enhancing public awareness of photodynamic cancer treatment.Such efforts are crucial for advancing the adoption of photodynamic therapy in our country,underscoring the pivotal role of chemistry in cancer treatment.The entire popular science experiment is straightforward,visually intuitive,and has demonstrated effective results in science outreach.