5-ALA Photodynamic Therapy Induces Ferroptosis in Oral Leukoplakia and Oral Cancer Cells

To explore the role of ferroptosis in photodynamic therapy (PDT) on oral leukoplakia (OLK) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). CCK8 was used to detect cell viability of OLK and OSCC cells. The production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was observed by fluorescence. The content of reduced glutathione (GSH) was detected by GSH/GSSG detection kit. The expression of ferroptosis related mRNA and protein was evaluated by qRT-PCR and western blot. 1mM 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) mediated PDT achieved ideal killing effect on OLK and OSCC cells. 5-ALA mediated PDT induced cells producing more ROS and reducing GSH content in OLK and OSCC cells. The expression of GPX4 and FTH1 was reduced, and increasing the expression of TFRC. The killing effect of 5-ALA mediated PDT on OLK and OSCC cells may be partially related to ferroptosis.