Porphyrin Macrocycles: General Properties and Theranostic Potential

Abstract

Despite specialists’ efforts to find the best solutions for cancer diagnosis and therapy, this pathology remains the biggest health threat in the world. Global statistics concerning deaths associated with cancer are alarming; therefore, it is necessary to intensify interdisciplinary research in order to identify efficient strategies for cancer diagnosis and therapy, by using new molecules with optimal therapeutic potential and minimal adverse effects. This review focuses on studies of porphyrin macrocycles with regard to their structural and spectral profiles relevant to their applicability in efficient cancer diagnosis and therapy. Furthermore, we present a critical overview of the main commercial formulations, followed by short descriptions of some strategies approached in the development of third-generation photosensitizers.

A unique corrole-based metal–organic polymer for synergistic phototherapy

“…24 In order to overcome the abovementioned shortcomings of phototherapy, efforts have been focused on the development of PSfunctionalized composite materials for use in synergic phototherapy treatments involving both PDT and PTT 25,26 ; yet, the creation of nanocomposites involves a very complicated procedure with difficulties in the precise component control. 27,28 Porphyrins, featuring the macrocyclic 18-electron conjugated structure, 29,30 are among the most examined macrocyclic conjugated structures with promising applicability in the biomedical field in view of their adjustable structures and spectral profile, which led to the phototherapy studies on porphyrin derivatives since 1975. 11 Over the last two decades, strategies have been proposed for the phototherapeutic implementation of porphyrins, such as the modification of the porphyrin macrocyclic ring and the formation of J-nanoaggregates by self-assembly to realize the redshift of Q-band absorption.…”

“…Porphyrins, featuring the macrocyclic 18-electron conjugated structure, 29,30 are among the most examined macrocyclic conjugated structures with promising applicability in the biomedical field in view of their adjustable structures and spectral profile, which led to the phototherapy studies on porphyrin derivatives since 1975. 11 Over the last two decades, strategies have been proposed for the phototherapeutic implementation of porphyrins, such as the modification of the porphyrin macrocyclic ring and the formation of J-nanoaggregates by self-assembly to realize the redshift of Q-band absorption.…”

Assessment of Some Unsymmetrical Porphyrins as Promising Molecules for Photodynamic Therapy of Cutaneous Disorders

“…A major advantage of porphyrins is their selectivity for tumor cells and, in contrast to ALA, they do not need metabolization for becoming PS, their tetrapyrrolic structure is stable, and they have good photodynamic properties for PDT [16]. Through their structural profile and electronic load, porphyrins can efficiently generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as singlet oxygen, in the presence of molecular oxygen and light [5,6,[17][18][19][20]. A series of pharmaceutical products containing porphyrin-type photosensitizers (e.g., Metvix ® , Levulan ® , Photogem ® , Purlytin ® , Foscan ® , Foslip ® ), are presently used for various skin disorders.…”

Biomedical Application of Porphyrin-Based Amphiphiles and Their Self-Assembled Nanomaterials

“…In this article, we review the progress of PBAs only rather than other porphyrin-based materials, such as MOFs, COFs, porphyrin-based macrocycles, etc. Here, we mention that porphyrin-based macrocycles benefiting from their more excellent optical properties than other macrocycles are receiving growing attention in biomedical applications.…”