CdSe/ZnS quantum dots induce photodynamic effects and cytotoxicity in pancreatic cancer cells

Figure 9 Quantum dots-photodynamic therapy-induced cell death via apoptosis. A: Cell viability of SW1990 cells by CCK-8 assay; B: Hochest 33342/PI nucleus staining of apoptotic and necrotic SW1990 cells (magnification × 100), white arrow indicates dead cells; C: Percentage of apoptotic and necrotic SW1990 cells by FCM. SW1990 cells were pretreated with or without Z-VAD-FMK (50 μmol/L) for 1 h and then treated with QD-PDT (1.5 μmol/L, 3 h, 20 J/cm²). QDs: Quantum dots; PDT: Photodynamic therapy; FCM: Flow cytometry; CCK-8: Cell Counting Kit-8; PI: Propidium iodide.