Porphyrin‐Based Metal−Organic Framework Compounds as Promising Nanomedicines in Photodynamic Therapy

Abstract

Porphyrin photosensitizers are widely used in photodynamic therapy (PDT) because of their unique diagnostic and therapeutic functions. However, many factors such as poor water solubility and instability of porphyrin compounds have limited their clinical application. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have the beneficial characteristics of versatility, high porosity, and excellent biocompatibility. Porphyrin-MOF nanomaterials have attracted the attention of researchers because MOFs can effectively suppress the quenching caused by the self-aggregation of porphyrin compounds and promote drug delivery. This article reviews the latest applications of porphyrin-MOF nanomedicine in type II photodynamic therapy by increasing tumour cell oxygen concentration, depleting tumour cell functional molecules and releasing signal molecules. Current potential limitations and future applications are also emphasized and discussed herein.

Highly Efficient Ir(III)‐Coumarin Photo‐Redox Catalyst for Synergetic Multi‐Mode Cancer Photo‐Therapy

“…The clinical organic photosensitizers are known show anticancer activity mainly via oxygen‐dependent type II pathway and use of such photosensitizers are restricted due to side effects like skin photosensitivity and hepatotoxicity [8–10] . Moreover, the hypoxic microenvironment in the solid tumors is reported to drastically reduce the therapeutic effect of the organic PSs which rely mainly on highly oxygen‐dependent type II photo‐sensitization pathway [11–13] . Thus, now there is an urgent need of new generation photosensitizers which can work even at low oxygen concentration [14–16]…”

“…[8][9][10] Moreover, the hypoxic microenvironment in the solid tumors is reported to drastically reduce the therapeutic effect of the organic PSs which rely mainly on highly oxygen-dependent type II photosensitization pathway. [11][12][13] Thus, now there is an urgent need of new generation photosensitizers which can work even at low oxygen concentration. [14][15][16] In the last decade, several photoactive metal complexes with significant photo-stability, enhanced aqueous solubility and tunable photo-therapeutic efficiency have shown great potential as the new generation PSs for PDT.…”

Metal–organic frameworks towards bio-medical applications

“…, 130 camptothecin, 131 and 5-fluorouracil 32 have been integrated into MOFs. Some photosensitizer 132,133 and organic dyes 32,134,135 from the near-infrared region (NIR) have been used for photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy. In recent years, the delivery of several biomolecules by MOF nanocarriers has also been studied, macromolecules, such as nucleic acids, 71,136,137 proteins, 35,138,139 carbohydrates, and small molecules, such as amino acids and fatty acids included.…”

Increased photodynamic therapy sensitization in tumors using a nitric oxide-based nanoplatform with ATP-production blocking capability

“…Heterogeneous hypoxic conditions in a tumor are mainly due to hyperactive O 2 metabolism of Mito-AR in proliferating tumor cells 23 . Thus, suppressing O 2 consumption can effectively improve O 2 tumor partial pressure for counteracting tumor hypoxia 24 . Tamoxifen (TAM) 25 , metformin (MET) 26 and atovaquone (ATO) 27 have been recently proposed to reduce O 2 consumption in tumor cells and enhanced PDT.…”