Figures & data
Figure 1 Histopathological examination of normal and cancerous skin.
Notes: The normal skin showing clear and complete structures: (A) 100× and (B) 400×. Squamous cell carcinoma tissue showing a large number of atypia cells, pathological mitotic, and keratosis beads: (C) 100× and (D) 400×.
Figure 2 Measurement of PpIX fluorescence in SCC lesions.
Notes: ***P<0.0001. Each point represents the mean ± standard deviation (n=3).
Abbreviations: PpIX, protoporphyrin IX; ALA, 5-aminolevulinic acid; PLGA, polylactic-co-glycolic acid; NPs, nanoparticles; SCC, squamous cell carcinoma.
Figure 3 PpIX fluorescence images obtained at 6 hours of incubation.
Notes: The ALA PLGA NP group (A) shows better PpIX localization than the 0.8% ALA group (B).
Abbreviations: PpIX, protoporphyrin IX; ALA, 5-aminolevulinic acid; PLGA, polylactic-co-glycolic acid; NP, nanoparticle.
Figure 4 Measurement of tumor size.
Notes: **P<0.01; ***P<0.0001. Data presented as means ± standard deviation from at least three independent experiments.
Abbreviations: ALA, 5-aminolevulinic acid; PLGA, polylactic-co-glycolic acid; NP, nanoparticle; PDT, photodynamic therapy.
Figure 5 Measurement of CD4+ cells. Positive cell number/field/slice (mean ± standard deviation, n=3).
Notes: *P<0.05; **P<0.01.
Abbreviations: ALA, 5-aminolevulinic acid; PLGA, polylactic-co-glycolic acid; NP, nanoparticle; PDT, photodynamic therapy.
Figure 6 Measurement of CD8+ cells. Positive cell number/field/slice (mean ± standard deviation, n=3).
Notes: *P<0.05; **P<0.01.
Abbreviations: ALA, 5-aminolevulinic acid; NP, nanoparticle; PDT, photodynamic therapy.
Figure 7 Electron microscopic examination of cellular localization of ALA PLGA NPs.
Notes: NPs are indicated by arrowheads. Control group: (A) 7,400× and (D) 17,500×. ALA NP group: (B) 7,400× and (E) 17,500×. Microneedling combination group: (C) 7,400× and (F) 17,500×.
Abbreviations: ALA, 5-aminolevulinic acid; PLGA, polylactic-co-glycolic acid; NPs, nanoparticles.
