Theranostics with photodynamic therapy for personalized medicine: to see and to treat

Abstract

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is an approved treatment modality, which is presently receiving great attention due to its limited invasiveness, high selectivity and limited susceptibility to drug resistance. Another related research area currently expanding rapidly is the development of novel theranostic agents based on the combination of PDT with different imaging technologies, which allows for both therapy and diagnosis. This combination can help to address issues of suboptimal biodistribution and selectivity through regional imaging, while therapeutic agents enable an effective and personalized therapy. In this review, we describe compounds, whose structures combine PDT photosensitizers with different imaging probes - including examples for near-infrared optical imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear imaging (PET or SPECT), generating novel theranostic drug candidates. We have intentionally focused our attention on novel compounds, which have already been investigated preclinically in vivo in order to demonstrate the potential of such theranostic agents for clinical applications.

Semiconducting polymer dots for multifunctional integrated nanomedicine carriers

“…Imaging based on electromagnetic radiation in the near-infrared (NIR) spectral range enables the acquisition of detailed information on the surface or interior of an object, rendering it widely applicable across various fields [ 312 , 313 ]. For instance, in medical diagnostics, near-infrared emitting nanoprobes combined with corresponding detectors can obtain images of internal lesions in human tissues or organs.…”

Graphene-Based Photodynamic Therapy and Overcoming Cancer Resistance Mechanisms: A Comprehensive Review

“…This novel approach has the potential to revolutionize the field of medicine and pave the way for improved patient outcomes through individualized therapy. 443 One of the techniques for achieving personalized therapy is the utilization of biosensors that are based on graphene. These biosensors can be highly sensitive and specific in detecting various biomarkers.…”

“…451 Graphene-based materials can also act as contrast agents to enhance the sensitivity and resolution of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT). 443,452,453 Zhang et al fabricated PEGylated ultrasmall GO with a chelating agent DOTA and gadolinium(III) to form GO-DOTA-Gd complexes, which showed improved T1 relaxivity. 453 Antoine et al reported that that GQDs are able to decrease the intensity of X-rays and form contrast images in both X-ray and computed tomography.…”