Effects of Photodynamic Therapy on the Regrowth Dynamics of Melanoma Cells

Melanoma, a highly aggressive skin cancer with rapid metastasis and resistance to conventional treatments, presents significant therapeutic challenges. Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), which uses photosensitizers (PS) and light to selectively target cancer cells, offers a promising alternative. This study investigates the regrowth dynamics of melanoma cells following PDT, focusing on the effects of varying light doses and PS concentrations. Using a 24-well cell plate model, the research demonstrates that higher light doses and PS concentrations effectively reduce melanoma cell growth rates. However, partial recovery in cell growth is observed over time, depending on treatment conditions. The findings suggest that strategic application of PDT can attenuate or fully inhibit melanoma cell regrowth under specific conditions. Future directions include optimizing PDT parameters, co-culturing melanoma and fibroblast cells to explore cellular interactions, and investigating combination therapies to improve treatment outcomes. This work contributes to advancing PDT as a viable therapeutic option for melanoma management.