The abilities to deliver and subsequently activate a therapeutic at the intended site of action are two important challenges in the synthesis of novel nanoparticles. Poor tumor permeability as a result of a dense microenvironment can impede the delivery of nanoparticles to the site of action. The design of a sub-40 nm activatable porphyrin nanodisc, based on protein-induced lipid constriction, is described. The biophotonic nanoparticle, self-assembled from aggregated porphyrin-lipid, is stabilized by an amphipathic alpha helical protein and becomes photoactive when its structure is perturbed. Enzymatic cleavage of the constricting protein leads to conversion of the particle from a disc- to a vesicle-shaped structure and provides further evidence that the apolipoprotein serves a functional role on the nanodisc. Fluorescence measurements of these nanodiscs in a detergent show that fluorescence is over 99% quenched in the intact state with a 12-fold increase in singlet oxygen generation upon disruption. Cellular fluorescence unquenching and dose-dependent phototoxicity demonstrate that these nanodiscs can be internalized and unquenched intracellularly. Finally, nanodiscs were found to display a 5-fold increase in diffusion coefficient when compared with the protein-free control ((3.5±0.1)×10(-7) vs (0.7±0.03)×10(-7) cm2 s(-1)). The ability to incorporate large amounts of photosensitizer drugs into its compact structure allows for phototherapeutic action, fluorescence diagnostic applications, and the potential to effectively deliver photosensitizers deep into poorly permeable tumors.

Malignant melanoma is one of the most aggressive malignancies in humans and is responsible for 60-80% of deaths from skin cancers. The 5-year survival of patients with metastatic malignant melanoma is about 14%. Its incidence has been increasing in the white population over the past two decades. The mechanisms leading to malignant transformation of melanocytes and melanocytic lesions are poorly understood. In developing malignant melanoma, there is a complex interaction of environmental and endogenous (genetic) factors, including: dysregulation of cell proliferation, programmed cell death (apoptosis) and cell-to-cell interactions. The understanding of genetic alterations in signalling pathways of primary and metastatic malignant melanoma and their interactions may lead to therapeutics modalities, including targeted therapies, particularly in advanced melanomas that have high mortality rates and are often resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Our knowledge regarding the molecular biology of malignant melanoma has been expanding. Even though several genes involved in melanocyte development may also be associated with melanoma cell development, it is still unclear how a normal melanocyte becomes a melanoma cell. This article reviews the molecular events and recent findings associated with malignant melanoma.