Applications of phototheranostic nanoagents in photodynamic therapy

Abstract

Nanotherapeutics has an increasing role in the treatment of diseases such as cancer. In photodynamic therapy (PDT) a therapeutically inactive photosensitizer compound is selectively activated by light to produce molecules capable of killing diseased cells and pathogens. A phototheranostic agent can be defined as a single nanoentity with the capabilities for targeted delivery, optical imaging and photodynamic treatment of a disease. Malignant cells, tissue and microbial etiologic agents can be effectively targeted by PDT. Photodynamic therapy is noninvasive, or minimally invasive, and has few side effects as damage to healthy tissue is minimized and the killing effect is localized. Various forms of cancer, acne and other diseases may be treated. The in vivo efficacy of photosensitizers is further improved by attaching them to nanostructures capable of targeting the diseased site. Such photosensitizer-functionalized nanostructures, or nanotherapeutics, allow site-specific delivery of imaging and therapeutic agents for improved phototheranostic performance. This review explores the potential applications of phototheranostic nanostructures in diagnosis and therapy.

New Conjugated meso‐Tetrafluorenylporphyrin‐Cored Derivatives as Fluorescent Two‐Photon Photosensitizers for Singlet Oxygen Generation

“…When taken together, these various observations strongly suggest that, once suitably functionalized, such molecular architectures (or closely related structures) might give rise to outstanding photosensitizers for various biomedical applications typical of porphyrin derivatives, such as one‐ or two‐photon– photodynamic therapy (PDT). They might even allow more advanced developments, such as two‐photon‐based theranostic uses …”

Green design “bioinspired disassembly-reassembly strategy” applied for improved tumor-targeted anticancer drug delivery

“…Various nano-carriers, including liposomes [3], micelles [4], polymeric nanoparticles [5], nanogels [6], and nanofibers [7], have all been investigated for their potentials as novel drug delivery systems for anti-cancer and imaging agents [8]. Several platforms have subsequently led to fundamental comprehension and appreciation of these preparations in innovative chemotherapy [9,10].…”

Dendritic molecular assemblies for singlet oxygen generation: meso-tetraphenylporphyrin-based biphotonic sensitizers with remarkable luminescence

“…20,34,35 This turned out to be a quite challenging task to achieve using porphyrin-based photosensitizers, since the lowest (Q) excited states of porphyrin (which actually sensitizes oxygen) exhibit often only a modest to negligible fluorescence. 20,34,35 This turned out to be a quite challenging task to achieve using porphyrin-based photosensitizers, since the lowest (Q) excited states of porphyrin (which actually sensitizes oxygen) exhibit often only a modest to negligible fluorescence.…”