According to the results, Pa-PDT showed inhibitory effect on MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro with an IC50 value of 0.5 muM at 24 h. Pa-PDT was demonstrated to activate intracellular mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathways via reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Pa-PDT IS also believed to induce extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-mediated autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Pa-PDT in combination with Tamoxifen is demonstrated to exert a synergetic effect in inhibiting cancer growth. The combination treatment induces both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis. Regarding the direct cancer cell killing activity, two dimensional gel electrophoresis screening revealed that Pa-PDT regulates proteins which involve in human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I-restricted antigen-processing machinery. This activation of antigen presentation was confirmed by Western blot analysis and immunostaining. Furthermore, a cross-presentation of antigen with HLA class I proteins and 70-kDa heat shock protein was found in Pa-PDT-treated cells, as shown by the fluorescent microscopic observation and immunoprecipitation assay. Moreover, the immunogenicity of breast cancer cells was increased by Pa-PDT treatment that triggered phagocytic activity by human macrophages. Our findings provide the first evidence that Pa-PDT can trigger both apoptosis and anti-tumour immunity. / Cancer is one of the most lethal diseases worldwide. Treatments of cancer comprise surgical intervention, radiotherapy or chemotherapy; however, their side effects are still need to be overcome. In order to search for anti-cancer treatments with milder side effects and higher efficiency, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been investigated. Previous study in our laboratory reported that pheophorbide a (Pa), an active compound purified from Scutellaria barbata, combined with photodynamic therapy (PDT) approach produces anti-tumour effect in a wide range of human cancers. Because of the lack of protocols for curing late phase breast cancer, my project is to investigate the therapeutic potential of Pa-PDT and its action mechanism on human breast cancer. A human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231, which is estrogen receptor nude and resistant to a conventional breast cancer drug tamoxifen, was used as an in vitro tumour model in my study to mimic the late stage of breast cancer. / Pheophorbide a (Pa) has been proposed to be a potential photosensitizer for the photodynamic therapy of human cancer. However, the immunomodulatory effect of Pa, in the absence of irradiation, has not yet been investigated. The present study revealed that Pa possessed immunostimulating effect on a murine macrophages cell line RAW 264.7. Pa could stimulate the growth of RAW 264.7 cells with the maximal effect at 0.5 muM after 48 h of treatment, where MAPK family including c-Jun N-tenninal kinase (JNK), ERK and p38 MAPK were activated by Pa treatment in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the induction of interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-a secretion, and the enhancement of phagocytic activity were observed in Pa-treated RAW 264.7 cells. The results were similar in Pa-treated human immune competent cells (e.g. CD4+ and CD14+ cells) at higher Pa concentrations (from 1 to 10 muM). The present work is the first report to demonstrate the potential immunomodulatory effects of Pa on immune competent cells, apart from its well-known anti-tumour activity. / Bui Xuan, Ngoc Ha. / "December 2010." / Advisers: Fung Kwok Pui; Wong Chun Kwok. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 73-04, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-144). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web.

Hoi, Wan Heng. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 212-245). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.