Enhanced effects of photodynamic therapy and celecoxib on the triple‑negative breast cancer MDA‑MB‑231 cell line.

Enhanced Effects of Photodynamic Therapy and Celecoxib on the Triple‑Negative Breast Cancer MDA‑MB‑231 Cell Line: Impact on BCL‑2, BAX, and TP53 Gene Expression.

Fatemeh Asgari, Fatemeh Javani Jouni, Jaber Zafari, Sinem Sari, Parisa Ashrafi

Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther

Oct 20, 2025

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer (BC) is among the most significant contributors to cancer-related mortality in women globally. Conventional therapies for BC often face substantial limitations and side effects. This study investigated the potential synergistic impacts of combining celecoxib with photodynamic therapy (PDT) using methylene blue (MB) as a photosensitizer on the BC cell line MDA-MB-231. METHODS: MDA-MB-231 cells were subjected to treatments with celecoxib, PDT (MB + 660 nm laser), and a combination of both therapies. The MTT assay was employed to evaluate cell viability and determine half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀). Apoptotic cell populations were quantified via flow cytometry using Annexin V/PI staining. Additionally, quantitative real-time PCR assessed the expression levels of TP53, BAX, BCL-2, and ATM as apoptosis-related genes. RESULTS: The combination of celecoxib and PDT significantly reduced cell viability and decreased the IC₅₀of celecoxib. Flow cytometric analysis exhibited a significant elevation in early apoptotic cells in the combination treatment group compared to those receiving either treatment alone. Furthermore, gene expression analysis revealed significant upregulation of TP53, BAX, and ATM, indicating enhanced apoptotic signaling. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that combining celecoxib with methylene blue-mediated PDT may enhance apoptosis and cytotoxicity in MDA-MB-231 BC cells by modulating key apoptotic and DNA damage response genes. This combined approach holds promise as a potential therapeutic strategy; however, further validation in in vivo and clinical settings is warranted.