Evaluation of the Synergistic Effects of Photobiomodulation and Natural Killer Cell Therapy in a Colorectal Cancer Xenograft Mouse Model

Document Type : Research/Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Biology, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran

2 Department of Medical Science, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

3 Cell Therapy and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Research Institute for Oncology, Hematology, and Cell

4 Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran

5 Middle East Gene and Cell Therapy Company, Tehran, Iran

6 Department of Plant Biotechnology, National Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran

10.30476/acrr.2025.109373.1276

Abstract

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, highlighting
the need for more effective therapeutic approaches. This study aimed to evaluate the synergistic antitumor
effects of combining natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy with photobiomodulation (PBM) in a CRC
xenograft model.
Methods: Human peripheral blood-derived NK cells were isolated, and their cytotoxic activity was confirmed
in vitro against HT-29 CRC cells. Nude mice bearing HT-29 xenografts were assigned to four groups: control,
PBM (808 nm), NK therapy, and combined NK + PBM treatment. Tumor size was monitored throughout the
study, and excised tumors were analyzed histologically for NK cell infiltration, mitotic index, and apoptosis.
Results: Both NK therapy and PBM alone significantly reduced tumor growth compared to the control. The
combined NK + PBM group demonstrated the greatest suppression of tumor progression. Histopathological
analysis revealed markedly enhanced NK cell infiltration, decreased mitotic activity, and increased apoptosis
in the combination group compared to the monotherapy groups.
Conclusion: NK therapy and PBM each exert anti-tumor effects in CRC xenografts; however, their combination
produces a superior therapeutic response. PBM may serve as a promising adjuvant to enhance NK-based
immunotherapy in CRC.

Keywords

References

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Iranian Journal of Colorectal Research
Volume 13, Issue 3
September 2025

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