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Abstract
Background: High-energy irradiation eliminates cancer cells by destroying their genetic components. However, there are several side effects from doing this, such as fatigue, dermatitis, and hair loss, which remain obstacles to this treatment. Here, we propose a moderate method that uses low-energy white light from a light-emitting diode (LED) to selectively inhibit cancer cell proliferation without affecting normal cells.

Methods: The association between LED irradiation and cancer cell growth arrest was evaluated based on cell proliferation, viability, and apoptotic activity. Immunofluorescence, polymerase chain reaction, and western blotting were performed in vitro and in vivo to identify the metabolism related to the inhibition of HeLa cell proliferation.

Results: LED irradiation aggravated the defective p53 signaling pathway and induced cell growth arrest in cancer cells. Consequently, cancer cell apoptosis was induced by the increased DNA damage. Additionally, LED irradiation inhibited the proliferation of cancer cells by suppressing the MAPK pathway. Furthermore, the suppression of cancer growth by the regulation of p53 and MAPK was observed in cancer-bearing mice irradiated with LED.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that LED irradiation can suppress cancer cell activity and may contribute to preventing the proliferation of cancer cells after medical surgery without causing side effects.

Affiliations

Yu-Jin Kim 1, Jihun Song 2, Dong-Hyun Lee 3, Soong Ho Um 3, Suk Ho Bhang 4
1School of Chemical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea; Center for Biomaterials, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea.
2School of Chemical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University Graduate School, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
3School of Chemical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea.
4School of Chemical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: sukhobhang@skku.edu.