Heavy-atom-free π-twisted photosensitizers for fluorescence bioimaging and photodynamic therapyShow others and affiliations
2024 (English)In: Journal of materials chemistry. B, ISSN 2050-750X, E-ISSN 2050-7518, Vol. 12, no 33, p. 8107-8121Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
As the field of preclinical research on photosensitizers (PSs) for anticancer photodynamic therapy (PDT) continues to expand, a focused effort is underway to develop agents with innovative molecular structures that offer enhanced targeting, selectivity, activation, and imaging capabilities. In this context, we introduce two new heavy-atom-free PSs, DBXI and DBAI, characterized by a twisted π-conjugation framework. This innovative approach enhances the spin-orbit coupling (SOC) between the singlet excited state (S1) and the triplet state (T1), resulting in improved and efficient intersystem crossing (ISC). Both PSs are highly effective in producing reactive oxygen species (ROS), including singlet oxygen and/or superoxide species. Additionally, they also demonstrate remarkably strong fluorescence emission. Indeed, in addition to providing exceptional photocytotoxicity, this emissive feature, generally lacking in other reported structures, allows for the precise monitoring of the PSs’ distribution within specific cellular organelles even at nanomolar concentrations. These findings underscore the dual functionality of these PSs, serving as both fluorescent imaging probes and light-activated therapeutic agents, emphasizing their potential as versatile and multifunctional tools in the field of PDT.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Royal Society of Chemistry, 2024. Vol. 12, no 33, p. 8107-8121
National Category
Physical Chemistry Atom and Molecular Physics and Optics
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-228109DOI: 10.1039/d4tb01014kISI: 001274207200001PubMedID: 39041337Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85199353921OAI: oai:DiVA.org:umu-228109DiVA, id: diva2:1887019
Funder
EU, Horizon 2020, 945339Swedish Cancer Society, 21 0302 PT 01 HSwedish Cancer Society, 22 2380 Pj 01 HSwedish Research Council, VR-MH 2021-02468Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, KAW 2021.01732024-08-062024-08-062024-10-23Bibliographically approved