The effect of photobiomodulation on the radiosensitivity of cancer cells: a literature review.

The goal of radiotherapy (RT) in cancer treatment is to destroy tumor tissue while preserving nearby healthy tissue. However, RT often causes adverse effects that significantly impact patients' quality of life. Tumor cells, which have high proliferation rates, are susceptible to radiation, especially during the G2 and mitosis phases of the cell cycle. Numerous studies have explored ways to enhance the Radiosensitivity of tumors to make RT more effective while minimizing harm to healthy cells. This review examines the potential use of photobiomodulation (PBM) as a radiosensitizer for cancer cells to improve the effectiveness and safety of radiotherapy. A literature search was conducted in the MEDLINE/PubMed and Google Scholar databases using keywords like "PBM, low-level light therapy, cancer cells, tumor cells, radiosensitizer, and ionizing radiation." Studies meeting the inclusion criteria were reviewed and analyzed. Several studies investigated PBM as a radiosensitizer for various cancer cell lines, including HeLa, HeLa Kyoto, A431, SCC9, and Cal 27. Most of these studies found that pre-exposure of cancer cells to PBM improved the effectiveness of radiation in destroying tumor cells. PBM is a promising, affordable, and noninvasive technique that could improve cancer treatment outcomes by increasing tumor sensitivity to radiation and reducing side effects. However, more research is needed to thoroughly assess the benefits of combining PBM with RT. Clinical trial number: not applicable. Clinical trial number: not applicable.