Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zaria Malindi, Stefan Barth, Heidi Abrahamse
Summary: Melanoma is a highly aggressive cancer with poor treatment response. Photodynamic therapy and nanoparticle-based drug delivery show potential for melanoma treatment. Antibody-drug conjugates and recombinant antibody fragments offer advantages over traditional monoclonal antibodies. SNAP-tag enables precise drug delivery through antibody fragment labeling.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Juanjuan Chen, Meiqi Yan, Kunshan Huang, Jinping Xue
Summary: A novel photosensitizer Mal-Pc has been designed, which can easily enter tumor cells and react with the overexpressed GSH inside the cells. The self-aggregation of Mal-Pc can be inhibited through reaction with GSH, leading to enhanced intracellular ROS levels and photocytotoxicity. The hydrophilicity of Mal-Pc facilitates its elimination from normal cells.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Hao Liu, Li-Li Lv, Huang Wen, Dong-Mei Zhao, Juhong Wu, Mei-Rong Ke, Bi-Yuan Zheng, Jinyu Li, Xingshu Li, Jian-Dong Huang
Summary: This paper presents a molecular and supramolecular approach for targeted phototherapy by modifying silicon (IV) phthalocyanines (Pcs) and interacting with albumin. The approach improves the photoactivities and tumor targeting of Pcs, and achieves high phototoxicity in HepG2 cells.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Anzhela Galstyan
Summary: The review discusses the potential of phthalocyanine (Pc) derivatives in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy and strategies for structural design to achieve effective photoinactivation of microorganisms, as well as the recent developments and applications of nanocarrier-based Pc delivery systems.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Anpu Yang, Yanan Sun, Bochen Lyu, Binlong Chen, Zhipu Fan, Minghui Li, Yao Zhao, Jijun Fu, Bing He, Hua Zhang, Xueqing Wang, Wenbing Dai, Qiang Zhang
Summary: This study demonstrates the high potential of the PCT nanodispersion in tumor combined therapy by simply associating three readily available materials (single-walled carbon nanohorns, zinc phthalocyanine, and surfactant TPGS) together. The PCT exhibits promising photothermal and photodynamic effects, effectively destroying tumor cells in vitro and inhibiting the growth and metastasis of tumors in vivo.
ASIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Ziming Yang, Puwang Li, Yu Chen, Enming Dong, Zhipan Feng, Zuyu He, Chuang Zhou, Chao Wang, Yunhao Liu, Changgen Feng
Summary: Researchers successfully developed a positively charged amphiphilic phosphonium chitosan nanomicelle for enhancing the solubility and encapsulation of zinc phthalocyanine photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy. The nanomicelle showed stable encapsulation of ZnPc and increased phototoxicity, providing a new strategy to improve the efficacy of PDT with hydrophobic photosensitizers.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Dongmu Zhao, Ancheng Ouyang, Xianglei Wang, Wei Zhang, Guanghui Cheng, Bin Lv, Wei Liu
Summary: This study investigated the use of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of thyroid cancer and found that axial choline substituted SiPc1 showed higher photodynamic activity, making it a promising candidate for the treatment of thyroid cancer.
JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY A-CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Goknur Yasa Atmaca, Fikriye Tuncel Elmali, Ali Erdogmus
Summary: Sono-photodynamic study is a promising alternative method for cancer treatment, surpassing photodynamic study in terms of therapeutic outcome. However, there is a lack of related studies in the literature. This study aimed to design and synthesize a suitable sono-photosensitizer by substituting a ruthenium (II) complex with silicon phthalocyanine, and to increase singlet oxygen production using sono-photochemical studies. The results demonstrated an improved singlet oxygen generation with the substituent group and approximately two-fold increase in yield with the sono-photochemical method. This article will contribute to future research on improving sono-photochemical properties.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nokuphila Winifred Nompumelelo Simelane, Cherie Ann Kruger, Heidi Abrahamse
Summary: A bioactive nanoconjugate was successfully fabricated to improve the outcomes of colorectal cancer PDD and PDT, demonstrating enhanced performance in targeting CRC cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Evelin L. de Oliveira, Sabrina B. S. Ferreira, Lidiane de Castro-Hoshino, Katieli da S. S. Campanholi, Italo R. Calori, Flavia A. P. de Morais, Elza Kimura, Ranulfo C. da Silva Junior, Marcos L. Bruschi, Francielle Sato, Noboru Hioka, Wilker Caetano
Summary: This study proposed a drug delivery platform using bioadhesive and thermoresponsive hydrogels to enhance the bioavailability of a photosensitizer for localized administration. The platform demonstrated excellent potential in treating skin infections through permeation studies and chemical photodynamic efficiency assays, showing minimal impact on cell viability and proliferation. The platform also showed inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus strain, indicating its potential in dermatological infection treatment.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Gulsah Gumrukcu Kose
Summary: Cancer, caused by unregulated cell proliferation and growth, is a common, difficult to treat, and deadly disease. Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) and sono-photodynamic therapy (SPDT) methods have been developed to penetrate deep tissues, treat tumors in deeper regions, and enhance therapeutic efficacy. The use of phthalocyanine complexes as sensitizers in these therapies, particularly a novel silicon phthalocyanine derivative with bromo-naphthoxy substitution, shows potential for non-invasive treatment and deep tissue therapy.
JOURNAL OF ORGANOMETALLIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Ling Zhang, Yuan-Yuan Zhao, Zi-Xuan Chen, Yun-Tong Cheng, Bi-Yuan Zheng, Mei-Rong Ke, Xingshu Li, Jian-Dong Huang
Summary: In order to reduce the intramolecular charge-transfer effect of amine groups on the photophysical properties of zinc phthalocyanine, tertiary amines were attached to the ZnPc ring. Six new tertiary amine-modified ZnPcs and corresponding quaternary ammonium ZnPcs were synthesized and characterized. The effects of different substitution ways and numbers of substitutions on the photophysical and physicochemical properties were studied. All ZnPcs showed effective phototoxicity towards breast cancer cells, and three tetra-substituted ZnPcs containing quaternary ammonium groups showed the best in vitro anticancer photodynamic activities.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiamin Cheng, Jing Gao, Yang Ding, Yao Lu, Qiancheng Wei, Dezhi Cui, Jiali Fan, Xiaoman Li, Ershu Zhu, Yongna Lu, Qiong Wu, Lin Li, Wei Huang
Summary: This review discusses the development of liposomes as versatile nano-carriers for drug delivery in order to overcome limitations of PDT and enhance therapeutic effects.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ceren Can Karanlik, Goknur Yasa, Atmaca Ali Erdogmus
Summary: Although some studies on Sonophotodynamic Therapy (SPDT) have been conducted, which show better results compared to Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) by combining light and sound, research in this field is still limited. This study aimed to demonstrate the potential of a synthesized compound in PDT and SPDT applications. Results showed that the singlet oxygen production significantly increased when using light and ultrasound together compared to light irradiation alone. This study contributes to the literature on enhancing singlet oxygen production through the SPDT method.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nokuphila Winifred Nompumelelo Simelane, Gauta Gold Matlou, Heidi Abrahamse
Summary: This study reports on the synthesis, characterization, and photodynamic therapy efficacy of a novel aluminium (III) chloride phthalocyanine (AlClPcTS41) and its conjugation to PEGylated copper-gold nanoparticles (PEG-CuAuNPs) for colon cancer treatment. The AlClPcTS41-PEG-CuAuNPs demonstrated significant photodynamic therapy effects, leading to decreased cell viability and potential apoptosis induction in Caco-2 cells. These findings highlight the potential of AlClPcTS41 and AlClPcTS41-PEG-CuAuNPs in enhancing the cytotoxic effect of photodynamic therapy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Wioleta Borzecka, Patricia M. R. Pereira, Rosa Fernandes, Tito Trindade, Tomas Torres, Joao P. C. Tome
Summary: A new silica nanoparticle-based system for delivering photosensitizers during photodynamic therapy to tumor tissues has been studied. The system showed good uptake and phototoxicity, especially in UM-UC-3 cancer cells.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Madania Amorim, Beatriz Martins, Francisco Caramelo, Conceicao Goncalves, Grimalde Trindade, Jorge Simao, Patricia Barreto, Ines Marques, Ermelindo Carreira Leal, Eugenia Carvalho, Flavio Reis, Teresa Ribeiro-Rodrigues, Henrique Girao, Paulo Rodrigues-Santos, Claudia Farinha, Antonio Francisco Ambrosio, Rufino Silva, Rosa Fernandes
Summary: Proteomics analysis of tear fluid in diabetic patients with retinopathy revealed alterations in protein profile, with some proteins associated with oxidative stress and small extracellular vesicles. Promising candidate biomarkers identified need further validation in a large sample cohort.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jose C. Pereira, Patricia M. R. Pereira, Sandra Beirao, Henrique Girao, Joao P. C. Tome, Rosa Fernandes
Summary: PorGal(8), bound to galectin-1 in bladder cancer cells, induces localized cell death after light activation. Changes in the cytoskeletal constituents and cell death triggered by PorGal-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) were investigated in bladder cancer cell lines, providing new insights into the relationship between PDT and cytoskeletal disorganization.
JOURNAL OF PORPHYRINS AND PHTHALOCYANINES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ines Ramos Rego, Daniela Silverio, Maria Isabel Eufrasio, Sandra Sofia Pinhancos, Bruna Lopes da Costa, Jose Teixeira, Hugo Fernandes, Yang Kong, Yao Li, Stephen H. Tsang, Paulo J. Oliveira, Rosa Fernandes, Peter M. J. Quinn, Paulo Fernando Santos, Antonio Francisco Ambrosio, Celso Henrique Alves
Summary: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of visual impairment and blindness in the elderly. The damage to retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) caused by oxidative stress is a key factor in the development of AMD, and this damage is caused by the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) primarily produced by mitochondria. The protein TRAP1, found in mitochondria, helps maintain mitochondrial integrity and reduces ROS production. This study found that TRAP1 is present in human RPE cells and its levels decrease when exposed to hydrogen peroxide. Silencing TRAP1 leads to increased ROS production and decreased mitochondrial respiratory capacity in RPE cells.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Madania Amorim, Beatriz Martins, Rosa Fernandes
Summary: Diabetes is a global health issue with significant morbidity and mortality. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a well-known inflammatory, neurovascular complication of diabetes and a leading cause of preventable blindness in developed countries among working-age adults. However, the ocular surface components of diabetic eyes are also at risk of damage due to uncontrolled diabetes, which is often overlooked.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kelly A. D. F. Castro, Nuno M. M. Moura, Mario M. Q. Simoes, Mariana M. Q. Mesquita, Loyanne C. B. Ramos, Juliana C. C. Biazzotto, Jose A. S. Cavaleiro, M. Amparo F. Faustino, Maria Graca P. M. S. Neves, Roberto S. S. da Silva
Summary: Skin cancer, especially melanoma, is a highly invasive and deadly cancer with resistance to conventional treatments. Photodynamic therapy (PDT), a non-invasive treatment, shows promise in overcoming the resistance of melanoma. This study focuses on the photophysical characterization and biological assays of tetrapyrrolic macrocycles for PDT against melanoma cancer cells. The results suggest that the choice of appropriate macrocycle-based photosensitizers can improve the performance of PDT.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eliane S. Sanches, Raquel Boia, Ricardo A. Leitao, Maria H. Madeira, Carlos A. Fontes-Ribeiro, Antonio Francisco Ambrosio, Rosa Fernandes, Ana Paula Silva
Summary: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that affects children, and it is associated with ophthalmologic abnormalities. The effects of methylphenidate (MPH) on retinal physiology in ADHD are still unclear. This study used animal models to investigate the structural, functional, and cellular alterations in the retina of ADHD, as well as the impact of MPH. The findings revealed deficits in retinal structure, function, and neurons in the ADHD animal model, and MPH had a beneficial effect on reducing inflammation and blood-retinal barrier dysfunction. However, MPH had opposite effects in the control animals, impairing retinal function and promoting inflammation.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sonia N. Pedro, Ana T. P. C. Gomes, Carla Vilela, Carla Vitorino, Rosa Fernandes, Adelaide Almeida, Maria Helena Amaral, Mara G. Freire, Armando J. D. Silvestre, Carmen S. R. Freire
Summary: A new type of microemulsion based on deep eutectic solvent (DES) has been developed to improve the efficacy of antibiotics in ocular infections. By using betaine-based DES aqueous solutions, the water solubility of the antibiotic chloramphenicol can be increased up to 140-fold. These DES solutions are applied as water phases in stable water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w) microemulsions, achieving sustained-release and higher permeation through the cornea. Compared to commercialized eye drops, these microemulsions show higher antimicrobial activity and faster action against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections.
ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Leandro M. O. Lourenco, Sandra Beirao, Andreia Melo, Rosa Fernandes, Joao P. C. Tome
Summary: This study synthesized and characterized three new photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy, and evaluated their efficacy on bladder cancer cells. The results showed that one of the new photosensitizers demonstrated higher effectiveness compared to the others. These findings contribute to the development of more powerful and selective photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy.
JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY A-CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mario M. Q. Simoes, Jose A. S. Cavaleiro, Vitor F. Ferreira
Summary: Diazo compounds are widely used in organic synthesis, catalyzed by transition metals with various ligands to modulate the selectivity and capacity of the catalyst. Porphyrins have been found to be efficient catalysts for diazo compound reactions, especially when complexed with low-cost metals. Recent research has focused on metalloporphyrin-catalyzed reactions and the potential applications of artificial metalloenzymes and hemoproteins.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sandeep Surendra Panikar, Shayla Shmuel, Jason S. Lewis, Patricia M. R. Pereira
Summary: In this study, radiolabeled and fluorescently labeled anti-CAV1 antibodies were developed and tested as imaging agents for detecting CAV1 in HER2-positive/CAV1-high gastric tumors. The results showed that these imaging agents could effectively localize and detect CAV1 expression in gastric tumors.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sara R. D. Gamelas, Joao P. C. Tome, Augusto C. Tome, Leandro M. O. Lourenco
Summary: Access to clean water is becoming increasingly challenging worldwide due to human activities and climate change. Wastewater treatment and utilization using photocatalysis offer a promising solution, but efficient and sustainable purification methods are crucial. Heterogeneous photocatalysts, such as phthalocyanine dyes, show potential for decomposing organic pollutants in water when combined with recoverable photocatalysts. However, further research is needed to understand the degradation products, toxicity, and recyclability of pollutants.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jan Joseph, Leandro M. O. Lourenco, Joao P. C. Tome, Tomas Torres, Dirk M. Guldi
Summary: Controlling the molecular architecture of organic building blocks and linking their functionalities with solar-light converting systems is a challenge in materials science. In this study, versatile organic molecules were used as building blocks and their charge transfer characteristics were investigated.
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Maria Vieira, Rosa Fernandes, Antonio F. Ambrosio, Vanessa Cardoso, Mariana Carvalho, Peng Weng Kung, Miguel Antonio Dias Neves, Ines Mendes Pinto
Summary: Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease and the leading cause of vision loss in working-age adults worldwide. Current treatments are effective in advanced stages but have limited control over the progression of the disease in the early stages. Therefore, new technologies are needed for accurate and early diagnosis of DR.