Modelling the hypersensitivity of cancer cells to infra-red laser pulse: Breaking ROS defence machinery

Infra-red lasers (1268 nm) were reported to induce irreversible oxidative stress in cancer cells through direct triplet→single oxygen transition designating a novel cancer treatment equally with photodynamic therapy. We using in vitro and in silico approaches revealed that main impact on the cell oxidative state makes cascade of secondary reactive oxygen species triggered by primary laser-pulse-induced singlet oxygen and irreversible depletion of cellular antioxidative thioredoxin system in tumour. Based on these cancer cell features we can propose laser impulse strategy of killing cancer cells where initial impulse(s) may deplete antioxidant system making cancer cells deadly vulnerable to the next cascade of ROS by following impulse(s) at non-thermal doses.