Naphthalimide-Based Type-I Nano-Photosensitizers for Enhanced Antitumor Photodynamic Therapy: H₂S Synergistically Regulates PeT and Self-Assembly.

ABSTRACT: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) relies on a combination of light and photosensitizers (PSs) to achieve local control over cancerous lesions. However, it is subject to limitations, including tumor hypoxia, low tumor targeting, off-target phototoxicity, and always-on fluorescence. Here, we propose a design strategy for activated nano-PSs (N-PSs) to simultaneously overcome the limitations of PDT, wherein photoinduced electron transfer (PeT) is coupled with an endogenous H₂S-regulated self-association process to promote Type-I photochemical reactions. Using theoretical calculations, spectral analysis, and microscopic imaging, we verified the generation of self-assembly and occurrence of PeT. And it was also shown that H₂S could synergistically inhibit the PeT and self-assembly

SUBMITTER: Niu H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12643349 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature