Review
Anatomy & Morphology
Fadya Adnane, Emad El-Zayat, Heba Mohamed Fahmy
Summary: This review discusses the therapeutic efficacy of photodynamic therapy and nanotechnology as combinational approaches in treating different types of skin cancer. It covers the mechanism and cell destruction capability of photodynamic therapy, different types of photosensitizers, and the ideal characteristics of nanoparticles used as drug delivery systems. The review also highlights the recent preclinical studies and clinical trials using nanoparticles loaded with different drugs and triggered with photodynamic therapy for skin cancer treatment.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Futing Yang, Wenjie Yu, Qiying Yu, Xiyu Liu, Chunping Liu, Chong Lu, Xinghua Liao, Yi Liu, Na Peng
Summary: This study synthesized a novel amphiphilic copolymer to encapsulate a porphyrinic metal-organic framework via self-assembly, loaded a carbon monoxide releasing molecule, and coated it with hyaluronic acid. The nanosystem sequentially localized to mitochondria and activated the production of ROS upon near-infrared light excitation, while simultaneously releasing CO. This combined approach significantly enhanced the antitumor efficacy of PDT both in vitro and in vivo.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Fei Huang, Guiyan Han, Xingjie Zhang, Yu Li, Zhenyuan Miao, Jianzhong Yao
Summary: In this study, a novel chlorin-based photosensitizer was designed and synthesized for tumor photodynamic therapy. The photosensitizer showed high phototoxicity, high dark toxicity/phototoxicity ratio, and excellent PDT antitumor efficacy in vitro and in vivo.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Andrea Sowa, Alexander Hoeing, Ulrich Dobrindt, Shirley K. Knauer, Anzhela Galstyan, Jens Voskuhl
Summary: This study describes the synthesis, characterization, and application of water-soluble zinc(II) phthalocyanines decorated with umbelliferone moieties for photodynamic therapy. These compounds exhibited excellent phototoxicity and antimicrobial activity in cells and bacteria, making them promising photosensitizers for future broad applications.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sebastian Makuch, Mateusz Drozdz, Alicja Makarec, Piotr Ziolkowski, Marta Wozniak
Summary: Psoriasis is an immune-mediated skin disease that affects patient quality of life. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) shows promise in treating psoriatic lesions, but its clinical utilization remains limited. Further research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of a wider range of photosensitizers and the potential of nanotechnology in psoriasis treatment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Joshua G. Hughes, David R. Chisholm, Andrew Whiting, John M. Girkin, Carrie A. Ambler
Summary: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have dual effects in cells, playing important roles in cell signaling and defense, but also causing cell death and oxidative damage. Developing a method to image ROS has been a challenge for many years. In this study, a new fluorescence microscopy-based technique called Bullseye Analysis is reported, which allows visualization of the production and effects of ROS at a subcellular level. The technique was validated using ROS-reporter dyes and a ROS-inducing photosensitizer.
MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nikita Suvorov, Viktor Pogorilyy, Ekaterina Diachkova, Yuri Vasil'ev, Andrey Mironov, Mikhail Grin
Summary: The rapid growth of drug-resistant bacteria has led to a major research challenge in finding alternative treatments, such as photodynamic therapy using photosensitizers and visible light at a certain wavelength to treat bacteria. Chlorophyll derivatives play a special role in this antimicrobial PDT.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jingru Guo, Kai Feng, Wenyu Wu, Yiling Ruan, Huihui Liu, Xiuping Han, Guoqiang Shao, Xiaolian Sun
Summary: The I-131-labeled smart photosensitizer described in this study can self-assemble into nanoparticles that exhibit low phototoxicity in normal tissues but produce reactive oxygen species in tumor sites. In animal models, these nanoparticles show great tumor inhibition capability, indicating a potential effective strategy for deep tumor theranostics using Cerenkov radiation.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jing-He Cen, Bei Wan, Yue Zhao, Meng-Yuan Li, Yu-Hui Liao, Hai-Yang Liu
Summary: This study reports the synthesis and characterization of an A(2)B corrole compound and its gallium(III) and phosphorus(V) complexes. The photodynamic anticancer activities of these compounds were evaluated against multiple cell lines, and the phosphorus(V) complex demonstrated the best stability, fluorescence quantum yields, and singlet-oxygen quantum yields. It also exhibited the most effective photodynamic antitumor activity with low IC50 values, and caused cell apoptosis through producing reactive oxygen species.
Review
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Maura Pellei, Fabio Del Bello, Marina Porchia, Carlo Santini
Summary: Zinc is an essential element for humans, and any malfunctions of its homeostasis can lead to different disease states, including cancer. Zinc complexes have shown promising biological activities, such as preventive effects on infectious diseases and low toxicity, making them appealing for applications in medicinal chemistry.
COORDINATION CHEMISTRY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fazli Sozmen, Merve Kucukoflaz, Mustafa Ergul, Zeynep Deniz Sahin Inan
Summary: This study presents a non-toxic nano system using dual light for cancer therapy, demonstrating the synergistic effect of photodynamic therapy and photothermal therapy. The results not only offer a new perspective for multifunctional nanostructures in biological applications but also show a new approach to designing novel PDT and PTT agents.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Eda Celikbas, Ayca Saymaz, Hande Gunduz, Irem Koc, Ece Cakir, Alphan Sennaroglu, Safacan Kolemen, Havva Yagci Acar, Kubra Onbasli
Summary: Tumor-targeting nanoparticles and phototherapies are important trends in tumor-specific local therapy. In this study, brominated hemicyanine (Hemi-Br) was loaded onto folic acid (FA)-tagged, glutathione (GSH)-coated Ag2S quantum dots (AS-GSH QDs) to provide enhanced phototoxicity in folate receptor (FR)-positive cancer cells.
BIOCONJUGATE CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lei Ge, Chenyang Qiao, Yikai Tang, Xiaoke Zhang, Xiqun Jiang
Summary: COFs have been synthesized with hypoxia-responsive azo bonds containing photosensitizers and hypoxia-activated drugs for drug delivery. Upon exposure to hypoxic conditions and NIR light, the COF structure is disrupted, leading to drug release and activation of the hypoxia-activated drug, resulting in effective cancer cell killing and tumor growth inhibition.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhongxian Fan, Yi Rong, Tumpa Sadhukhan, Shaoxia Liang, Wenqing Li, Zhanxiang Yuan, Zilin Zhu, Shunwen Guo, Shaomin Ji, Jinquan Wang, Rajesh Kushwaha, Samya Banerjee, Krishnan Raghavachari, Huaiyi Huang
Summary: The uptake and retention of Ir-III photoredox catalysts were studied in single cancer cells using single-cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The dinuclear catalyst showed significant synergism and high photocatalytic therapeutic efficiency.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xue Lou, Hui Wang, Yu Liu, Yongwei Huang, Zhonghua Liu, Wei Zhang, Tie Wang
Summary: This study presents a perylene monoamide-based reactive oxygen species supergenerator that induces oxidative stress and triggers immunogenic cell death, leading to efficient tumor therapy. It also demonstrates the potential of perylene as a therapeutic platform for immunogenic photochemotherapy against hypoxic tumors.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria J. S. A. Silva, Robin Vinck, Youchao Wang, Bruno Saubamea, Mickael Tharaud, Elena Dominguez-Jurado, Johannes Karges, Pedro M. P. Gois, Gilles Gasser
Summary: An increasing number of novel Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes have been successfully applied as photosensitizers (PSs) for photodynamic therapy (PDT). Classical maleimide and versatile NHS-activated acrylamide strategies were employed to conjugate a promising Ru(II) polypyridyl complex to the N-terminally Cys-modified Bombesin (BBN) targeting unit. Although lacking in tumoral selectivity, the new bioconjugates showed high phototoxic activity and decreased toxicity in the absence of light irradiation, making them potentially useful for advanced cancer treatment.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Mariano Soba, Gonzalo Scalese, Federico Casuriaga, Nicolas Perez, Nicolas Veiga, Gustavo A. Echeverria, Oscar E. Piro, Ricardo Faccio, Leticia Perez-Diaz, Gilles Gasser, Ignacio Machado, Dinorah Gambino
Summary: In this study, multifunctional Re(I) tricarbonyl compounds were designed as potential antichagasic drugs. These compounds showed activity against T. cruzi and demonstrated good selectivity towards the parasite compared to mammalian cells. The mechanism of action and physicochemical properties of these compounds were also investigated, showing promising potential for further drug development.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Capucine Mahe, Olivier Blacque, Gilles Gasser, Vincent Gandon, Kevin Cariou
Summary: The first synthesis of various N-metallocenyl ynamides has been achieved, along with the development of two strategies for the oxidative cyclization of N-ferrocenyl ynamide into ansa[3]-ferrocenylamide. The mechanism for the iodine(III)-triggered transformation has been investigated using DFT calculations, revealing a concerted iodination deprotonation step.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hugo Madec, Francisca Figueiredo, Kevin Cariou, Sylvain Roland, Matthieu Sollogoub, Gilles Gasser
Summary: The development of organometallic catalysis has expanded the toolbox of synthetic chemists and paved the way for bio-compatible reactions in water. Performing metal-catalysed reactions within living cells or organisms poses additional constraints, requiring metal complexes with good efficiency, low concentration, cell specificity, cellular uptake, and low toxicity.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lili Wang, Johannes Karges, Fangmian Wei, Lina Xie, Zhuoli Chen, Gilles Gasser, Liangnian Ji, Hui Chao
Summary: Conventional photodynamic therapy mainly affects primary tumors, while complementary immunotherapy is effective in eliminating small, non-localized tumors. We report the development of a highly potent immunogenic cell death inducing photosensitizer, Ir-pbt-Bpa, for two-photon photodynamic immunotherapy against melanoma. Upon light irradiation, Ir-pbt-Bpa can induce cell death through a combination of ferroptosis and immunogenic cell death, leading to a strong reduction in tumor size.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alessio Vidal, Daniel Rossato, Elisabetta Iengo, Gabriele Balducci, Enzo Alessio
Summary: The preparation and characterization of four novel and robust metal-mediated heteroleptic 4+3 porphyrin tapes were described. These tapes have unique and well-defined 3D geometries, and they are valuable for investigating directional processes in asymmetrical systems.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jessica Berrones Reyes, Peter S. Sherin, Amrita Sarkar, Marina K. Kuimova, Ramon Vilar
Summary: This study reports a series of new cyclometallated platinum(II) complexes that act as switch-on probes for G-quadruplex DNA by enhancing their phosphorescence upon binding. More importantly, these complexes show a selective and distinct lengthening of their emission lifetime when bound to G-quadruplexes. The researchers demonstrate that this effect can be used to selectively visualize these structures in cells using Phosphorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (PLIM).
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lisa Gourdon-Grunewaldt, Marija Bakija, Lara Wild, Berislav Peric, Gilles Gasser, Srecko I. Kirin, Kevin Cariou
Summary: In order to achieve bioorthogonal intracellular catalysis, a library of platinum(II) complexes was synthesized. The non-toxicity of these complexes to living cells was demonstrated and their catalytic activity was evaluated. None of the platinum complexes showed any catalytic activity for the targeted reaction, but it was found that the silver salt AgSbF6 commonly used to 'activate' metal catalysts was a very efficient catalyst for the studied intramolecular cyclization reaction.
HELVETICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Lucy E. Enslin, Kallol Purkait, Maria Dalla Pozza, Bruno Saubamea, Pierre Mesdom, Hendrik G. Visser, Gilles Gasser, Marietjie Schutte-Smith
Summary: This report presents highly cytotoxic Re(I) carbonyl complexes with low nanomolar activity against prostate cancer cells, highlighting the potential of using rhenium in cancer treatment. Eight aqua complexes with a general formula of fac-[Re(CO)(3)(N,N'-bid)(H2O)][NO3] were synthesized and characterized. The cytotoxicity of these complexes was evaluated on prostate cancer cells, with three complexes showing very low cytotoxic activity and selectivity over normal cells. Further experiments revealed the mitochondrial and nuclear localization of the most selective complexes, as well as their impact on mitochondrial dysfunction and ATP production in cancer cells.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Gloria Vigueras, Gilles Gasser
Summary: Pharmacologically inactive prodrugs activated by near-infrared light have potential clinical applications. Platinum-based photo-oxidants have been shown to eliminate tumors in mice through a new mode of action.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Sarah Boumati, Angelique Sour, Valerie Heitz, Johanne Seguin, Gautier Beitz, Yusuke Kaga, Marta Jakubaszek, Johannes Karges, Gilles Gasser, Nathalie Mignet, Bich-thuy Doan
Summary: Researchers have successfully used a theranostic agent with combined diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities for photodynamic therapy, fluorescence imaging, and magnetic resonance imaging. The experimental results show that this theranostic agent has a significant impact on tumor growth and has the potential to become a drug candidate for cancer.
ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Silvio Jakopec, Lisa Gourdon-Grunewaldt, Ivona Cipor, Andrijana Mescic Macan, Berislav Peric, Ivo Piantanida, Kevin Cariou, Gilles Gasser, Srecko I. Kirin, Silvana Raic-Malic
Summary: Bioorganometallic complexes have shown promise for potential application in cancer treatment and diagnosis, as well as in bioimaging agents, with some acting as theranostic agents. A series of novel complexes with bidentate pyridyl-1,2,3-triazole and 2,2'-dipyridylamine ligands were prepared and characterized. The complexes exhibited interactions with biomacromolecules and showed significant antiproliferative activity on colon cancer cells.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Sara Benetti, Maria Dalla Pozza, Lorenzo Biancalana, Stefano Zacchini, Gilles Gasser, Fabio Marchetti
Summary: Novel diiron vinyliminium complexes were synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. Their solubility in D2O, Log Pow coefficients, and stability in aqueous media were determined. The antiproliferative activity of these complexes on cancer cell lines was evaluated and their mechanism of action was investigated by assessing their influence on mitochondrial respiration.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yandong Ma, Zhihua Zhang, Fan Sun, Pierre Mesdom, Xin Ji, Pierre Burckel, Gilles Gasser, Min-Hui Li
Summary: Polymer micelles/vesicles made of a red-light-responsive block copolymer are developed as a model system for anticancer phototherapy. The system can release Ru complexes and generate ROS under red-light irradiation, leading to high cytotoxicity against cancer cells.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Youchao Wang, Pierre Burckel, Kallol Purkait, Bruno Saubamea, Pierre Burckel, Philippe Arnoux, Celine Frochot, Kevin Cariou, Thibaud Rossel, Gilles Gasser
Summary: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a medical technique that uses non-toxic molecules called photosensitizers (PSs) for cancer treatment. This study introduces novel ruthenium and osmium polypyridyl complexes that can target carbonic anhydrases (CAs), which are overexpressed in cancer cells. These complexes accumulate in cancer cells and effectively kill them when irradiated with light. This research proposes a strategy to improve the selectivity of PDT.