Enhanced photodynamic therapy by enhancing the light energy capture
efficiency of porphyrin photosensitizers
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has received increasing attention in cancer
treatment because of its advantages such as minimally invasive and
selective destruction. With the development of PDT, impressive progress
has been made in the research of preparing photosensitizers, especially
porphyrin photosensitizers. However, the limited tissue penetration and
light energy capture efficiency of porphyrin photosensitizers have been
the two major obstacles for conventional photosensitizers. Therefore, it
is necessary to enhance the tissue penetration and improve the light
energy capture efficiency of porphyrin photosensitizers through
structural modifications. In addition, indirect excitation of porphyrin
photosensitizers using fluorescent donors (fluorescence resonance energy
transfer) has been successfully used to address these issues. In this
manuscript, we focus on how to enhance the photoenergy capture
efficiency of porphyrin photosensitizers, aiming to improve the
efficiency of singlet oxygen (1O2) production in tumor tissues and
enhance the photodynamic therapy effect of photosensitizers.