Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Xuwen Da, Fei-Hu Yu, Chao Zhang, Zhanhua Wang, Yao Jian, Yuanjun Hou, Yong Chen, Xuesong Wang, Qianxiong Zhou
Summary: This work proposes a bioorthogonal assembly based on d(10)MIDLINE HORIZONTAL ELLIPSISd(10) metallophilic interactions for precise cancer cell imaging and photodynamic therapy (PDT). The assembly exhibits luminescence turn-on and singlet oxygen generation upon irradiation, demonstrating the potential of using supramolecular interaction for bioorthogonal chemistry.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Zhiheng Li, Zhenwu Zhou, Yarui Wang, Jie Wang, Liming Zhou, Hong-Bo Cheng, Juyoung Yoon
Summary: Due to deficiencies in specific accumulation at tumors and undesired activation in normal tissues, many photodynamic therapy (PDT) agents show off-target phototoxicity. To address this issue, activatable photodynamic nano-photosensitizers (nanoPSs) that generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in response to tumor-associated or external stimuli have been developed. These nanoPSs are in an off-state during delivery and are only activated in targeted lesions, enhancing the accuracy and minimizing side effects. This review discusses the design, work principle, and therapeutic performance of PDT using activatable nanoPSs, categorized by different stimuli and composite materials.
COORDINATION CHEMISTRY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Daniel Obitz, Karmel S. Gkika, Marvin Heller, Tia E. Keyes, Nils Metzler-Nolte
Summary: A lanthanide(iii) complex connected to a light harvesting antenna was synthesized and tested as a potential photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy. The complex showed significant phototoxic activity on cancer cells upon irradiation, with ROS production identified as the compound's phototoxic mode of action. In cell viability assays, a 10-fold decrease in IC50 value was observed compared to the dark control.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Zilin Zhu, Li Wei, Ashish Kumar Yadav, Zhongxian Fan, Ashish Kumar, Mengzhao Miao, Samya Banerjee, Huaiyi Huang
Summary: Recently, there has been interest in developing photo catalytic anticancer drugs, mainly in the form of metal complexes. In this study, we introduce lysosome/mitochondria targeting cyanine appended bipyridine compounds as potential organic photocatalytic anticancer agents. The organocatalyst (bpyPCN) not only induces light-induced NADH oxidation but also generates intracellular ROS, showcasing its anticancer activity. This is the first example of an organic compound inducing catalytic NADH photo-oxidation in both aqueous solutions and cancer cells.
JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Le Yu, Yunjie Xu, Zhongji Pu, Heemin Kang, Mingle Li, Jonathan L. Sessler, Jong Seung Kim
Summary: This study demonstrates the successful activation of cancer cell pyroptosis using a photocatalytic superoxide radical generator, NI-TA, which functions through the caspase-3/gasdermin E pathway. The research also reveals the partial oxygen recycling mechanism of NI-TA and its ability to effectively eliminate cancer cells under hypoxic conditions.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Toghrul Almammadov, Safacan Kolemen
Summary: The study introduced a H2O2 activatable iodinated resorufin as a redshifted, water soluble and cancer cell selective photosensitizer, exhibiting high singlet oxygen quantum yield and selective photocytotoxicity in colorectal and triple negative breast cancer cells, while showing almost no impact on normal cells.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sathish Sundar Dhilip Kumar, Heidi Abrahamse
Summary: Nanotechnology plays a crucial role in drug delivery, especially in cancer treatment. Biocompatible nanocarriers are easy to synthesize and can be used for targeted photodynamic therapy effectively.
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Tingting Hu, Zhengdi Wang, Weicheng Shen, Ruizheng Liang, Dan Yan, Min Wei
Summary: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a non-invasive therapeutic modality that has gained attention for its high selectivity and limited side effects. However, limitations such as inadequate light penetration depth and non-targeting photosensitizers have hindered its full clinical application. Current research focuses on innovative strategies to overcome these limitations and enhance the therapeutic effect of PDT.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joseph C. Cacaccio, Farukh A. Durrani, Joseph R. Missert, Ravindra K. Pandey
Summary: This study demonstrates the diagnostic potential of a radioactive analog and non-radioactive photosensitizer for various tumors, and shows significantly enhanced therapeutic efficacy when combined with doxorubicin. The toxicity and toxicokinetics of the photosensitizer were evaluated in rats and dogs.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shuang Chao, Ziyan Shen, Jiaming Ren, Zhilin Zhang, Xiaolin Chen, Yuxin Pei, Zhichao Pei
Summary: A three-in-one self-assembled metallo-nanophotosensitizer system (NLCD) was constructed by cooperative coordination of amphiphilic l-arginine-modified photosensitizer NBS-l-Arg and DOX in the presence of Cu(2+)via the synergy of coordination, hydrophobic, and pi-pi stacking interactions. The resulting NLCD NPs possessed uniform size, well-defined nanosphere structure, and GSH-responsive ability. In vitro studies exhibited that NLCD NPs integrating photodynamic/chemodynamic/chemo multimodal therapy achieved an enhanced therapeutic effect.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eric Chekwube Aniogo, Blassan P. George, Heidi Abrahamse
Summary: The study utilized photodynamic therapy to treat MCF-7 cells overexpressed with P-glycoprotein, resulting in cell apoptosis with increased externalisation of phosphatidylserine protein and changes in apoptotic protein expression.
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Paromita Sarbadhikary, Blassan P. George, Heidi Abrahamse
Summary: Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) has emerged as a promising alternative in cancer diagnosis and treatment, utilizing light-induced activation of photosensitizers to kill cancer cells. PDT offers advantages such as minimal invasiveness and spatio-temporal control, with proper planning of parameters being crucial for efficacy. The design of PS formulations for imaging-guided PDT has shown promising potential, with recent advances in activatable phototheranostic agents enhancing the specificity of treatment.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lukas Schneider, Martina Kalt, Samuel Koch, Shanmugi Sithamparanathan, Veronika Villiger, Johann Mattiat, Flavia Kradolfer, Ekaterina Slyshkina, Sandra Luber, Mathias Bonmarin, Caroline Maake, Bernhard Spingler
Summary: This article reports six novel and easily accessible BODIPY-based agents for cancer treatment that exhibit both photodynamic and photothermal activities, and do not rely on the generation of reactive oxygen species for cytotoxicity. These agents demonstrate high photocytotoxicity and low dark toxicity in different cancer cell lines. Under hypoxic conditions, they exhibit oxygen-independent photothermal mechanisms, making them potential candidates for overcoming limitations in current cancer therapy.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Liping Qiao, Jiangping Liu, Shi Kuang, Xinxing Liao, Junfeng Kou, Liangnian Ji, Hui Chao
Summary: The study introduces a novel transition metal-based PS for combating breast cancer, especially showing strong sensitivity in TNBC, with significant antiproliferative activity at the nanomolar level.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kristy W. K. Lam, Joe H. C. Chau, Eric Y. Yu, Feiyi Sun, Jacky W. Y. Lam, Dan Ding, Ryan T. K. Kwok, Jianwei Sun, Xuewen He, Ben Zhong Tang
Summary: In this study, a phosphate group was introduced as a cancer-specific biomarker of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) on a photosensitizer (PS) with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) for cancer cell imaging and therapy. The phosphate group on the PS is selectively hydrolyzed by ALP in high ALP expressing cancer cells, leading to aggregation and fluorescent response. Furthermore, fluorescence-guided photodynamic therapy (PDT) was achieved by using the aggregates of PS with strong reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation efficiency under white light irradiation.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hui Li, Xin Wang, Tymish Y. Ohulchanskyy, Guanying Chen
Summary: Light in the near-infrared (NIR) spectral region is increasingly used in bioapplications due to its deeper penetration in biological tissues. Lanthanide-doped luminescent nanoparticles with excitation and/or emission in the NIR range are gaining attention for noninvasive biological applications, offering unique optical properties such as large Stokes shift, sharp luminescence emissions, long lifetimes, and photostability. Advanced strategies for enhancing the luminescence brightness of these nanoparticles have been introduced, along with a review of their superior biophotonic applications in high-resolution imaging, single-nanoparticle-level detection, and tissue-penetrating diagnostics and therapeutics.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Iuliia Golovynska, Sergii Golovynskyi, Yurii V. Stepanov, Liudmyla I. Stepanova, Junle Qu, Tymish Y. Ohulchanskyy
Summary: Low level light therapy using specific wavelengths can modulate biochemical cascade reactions in cells to treat various pathological conditions. Light at 650 and 808 nm promotes intracellular Ca2+ elevation, while no effects are observed under 1064 nm irradiation. This insight can be important for drug-free phototherapy development.
JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY B-BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Yurii Stepanov, Iuliia Golovynska, Nataliia Dziubenko, Halyna M. Kuznietsova, Nataliia Petriv, Inessa Skrypkina, Sergii Golovynskyi, Liudmyla Stepanova, Yevhenii Stohnii, Liudmyla Garmanchuk, Liudmyla Ostapchenko, Tetyana Yevsa, Junle Qu, Tymish Y. Ohulchanskyy
Summary: We have demonstrated the expression of NMDAR during the early stages of cancer, specifically HCC, in the cell transformation process. The aim of our study was to define the disease stages from precancerous liver disease to liver cancer progression when NMDAR subunits were expressed/detected. A fibrosis/HCC rat model, immunohistochemistry combined with epifluorescence microscopy imaging, and Western blotting were employed. The dynamics of appearance of NMDAR subunits, their expression, and methylation status during the development of HCC were shown and discussed.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-GASTROINTESTINAL AND LIVER PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yurii Stepanov, Iuliia Golovynska, Sergii Golovynskyi, Liudmyla Garmanchuk, Oleksandr Gorbach, Liudmyla Stepanova, Natalia Khranovska, Liudmyla Ostapchenko, Tymish Y. Ohulchanskyy, Junle Qu
Summary: This study investigates red/NIR light-stimulated angiogenesis using endothelial cells in vitro, focusing on capillary-like structure formation and associated biochemical processes in cell models representing healthy or malignant environments. The findings suggest that light stimulation can enhance angiogenesis through extracellular Ca2+ influx, cell cycle progression, proliferation, and NO generation, as well as increasing VEGF production by endothelial cells under hypoxia conditions.
JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY B-BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Courtney Saenz, Manivannan Ethirajan, Erin C. Tracy, Mary-Jo Bowman, Joseph Cacaccio, Tymish Ohulchanskyy, Heinz Baumann, Ravindra K. Pandey
Summary: This study investigated the impact of anionic and cationic substituents of the pyropheophorbide-based photosensitizers (PS) on uptake and retention by tumor epithelial cells and photodynamic therapy (PDT). The study found that the nature of the functionalities in the macrocycle made a significant difference in overall lipophilicity and in binding to and retention by tumor cells. Cationic PSs showed higher cellular binding, uptake, and in vitro PDT efficacy than anionic PSs.
JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY B-BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Iuliia Golovynska, Yurii V. Stepanov, Sergii Golovynskyi, Ting Zhou, Liudmyla I. Stepanova, Liudmyla V. Garmanchuk, Tymish Y. Ohulchanskyy, Junle Qu
Summary: Low-level light therapy (LLLT) shows promising effects on macrophages by enhancing phagocytosis capacity, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine production, and increasing anti-inflammatory cytokine secretion. Additionally, the effect of red/NIR light on cell viability exhibits a biphasic response, linked to changes in ROS generation and mitochondrial activity.
PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Renbin Zhou, Tymish Y. Ohulchanskyy, Yunjian Xu, Roman Ziniuk, Hao Xu, Liwei Liu, Junle Qu
Summary: This study introduces catalase nanocrystals as a tumor microenvironment activatable nanoplatform for selective treatment of colon cancer. The nanoformulation utilizes photothermal effect and drug release to completely eradicate tumors without side effects in healthy tissue.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Yurii V. Stepanov, Iuliia Golovynska, Renlong Zhang, Sergii Golovynskyi, Liudmyla I. Stepanova, Oleksandr Gorbach, Taisa Dovbynchuk, Liudmyla V. Garmanchuk, Tymish Y. Ohulchanskyy, Junle Qu
Summary: Research has found that 808nm near-infrared light can protect against neurodegenerative diseases by altering metabolic processes and increasing the level of anti-inflammatory microglia cells. The light exposure also inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, activates phagocytosis, and prevents oxidative stress damage to neurons.
ALZHEIMERS RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Renbin Zhou, Hao Xu, Junle Qu, Tymish Y. Ohulchanskyy
Summary: This study introduces a novel therapeutic nanoplatform for colon tumors that utilizes the tumor microenvironment for diagnosis and treatment. The platform utilizes hemoglobin nanocrystals to generate cytotoxic substances and contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging within the tumor, enabling a combination therapy of chemodynamic therapy and photothermal therapy. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate the high therapeutic efficacy of this nanoplatform against colon cancer, with low toxicity towards normal tissues.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Siqi Gao, Renbin Zhou, Soham Samanta, Junle Qu, Tymish Y. Ohulchanskyy
Summary: This review summarizes recent progress in the development of various plasmon-enhanced luminescence (PEL)-based biosensors and bioimaging platforms for diverse biological and biomedical applications. The study evaluates the performance improvement of PEL-based biosensors in efficiently detecting biomarkers (proteins and nucleic acids) in point-of-care tests and discusses the pros and cons of recently developed PEL-based biosensing platforms on substrates or in solutions. It also includes a brief discussion on integrating PEL-based biosensing platforms into microfluidic devices as a promising multi-responsive detection method. The review presents comprehensive details about the recent advances in the development of various PEL-based multi-functional (passive targeting, active targeting, and stimuli-responsive) bioimaging probes, highlighting the scope of future improvements in devising robust PEL-based nanosystems to achieve more effective diagnostic and therapeutic insights by enabling imaging-guided therapy.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Sergii Golovynskyi, Iuliia Golovynska, Olena Roganova, Andrii Golovynskyi, Junle Qu, Tymish Y. Ohulchanskyy
Summary: Label-free hyperspectral imaging of lipids in the NIR and SWIR regions was achieved using porcine tissue. The HSI was performed using a NIR-SWIR camera and a liquid crystal tunable filter. The transmittance spectra in ROIs were compared with those recorded by a spectrophotometer to determine the composition of lipids, proteins, and water. The improved protocol allows for visualization of small adipose inclusions.
JOURNAL OF BIOPHOTONICS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Mohammad Malekzadeh, Vishvajeet V. Mane, Zhengxi Xuan, Tymish Y. Ohulchanskyy, Mark T. Swihart
Summary: Laser pyrolysis is used to rapidly heat precursors and induce decomposition and particle nucleation. By utilizing SF6, NaYF4 nanocrystals can be synthesized in a safe and efficient manner. This process shows potential for creating lanthanide-doped fluoride nanomaterials for various applications.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tao Jia, Jiarui Du, Jiani Yang, Yang Li, Tymish Y. Ohulchanskyy, Xikui Fang, Guanying Chen
Summary: Noninvasive sonodynamic therapy (SDT) has potential for brain glioma treatment, but is hindered by challenges such as the hypoxic tumor microenvironment (TME), high levels of ROS scavenger glutathione (GSH), and the inability to visualize glioma in vivo. To address these challenges, researchers fabricated a core-shell heterostructure sonosensitizer that effectively inhibits GSH synthesis and provides precise optical imaging for treatment management and monitoring. The sonosensitizer showed efficient ROS generation and resulted in a significant reduction in glioma volume in experiments.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Patryk Falat, Min Ying Tsang, Irena Maliszewska, Szymon J. Zelewski, Bartlomiej Cichy, Tymish Y. Ohulchanskyy, Marek Samoc, Marcin Nyk, Dominika Wawrzynczyk
Summary: In this study, an optically triggered anti-microbial treatment based on visible to ultraviolet up-conversion emission in lanthanide-doped yttrium silicates was enhanced. The synthesized powders showed up-conversion emission lines in both UVA and UVC regions, which were effective for decontamination purposes. The use of combined UVA and UVC irradiation generated by Pr3+ and Tm3+ co-doped phosphors demonstrated higher deactivation efficiency for pathogenic microorganisms.
MATERIALS ADVANCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Min Ying Tsang, Patryk Falat, Magda A. Antoniak, Roman Ziniuk, Szymon J. Zelewski, Marek Samoc, Marcin Nyk, Junle Qu, Tymish Y. Ohulchanskyy, Dominika Wawrzynczyk
Summary: This study demonstrates the simultaneous utilization of upconversion and downconversion luminescence properties by doping praseodymium (III) and ytterbium (III) ions into a nanosized fluoride matrix for biomedical applications. The emission modes in a single nanoparticle include near infrared downconversion luminescence for bioimaging and ultraviolet C range upconversion luminescence for germicide action. Additionally, the potential of near infrared luminescence bioimaging through biological tissues is shown.