Hypoxia-activated NIR photosensitizer anchoring in the mitochondria for photodynamic therapy.

ABSTRACT: Photodynamic therapy is considered as a promising treatment for cancer, but still faces several challenges. The hypoxic environment in solid tumors, imprecise tumor recognition and the lack of selectivity between normal and cancer cells extremely hinder the applications of photodynamic therapy in clinics. Moreover, the "always on" property of photosensitizers also increases the toxicity to normal tissues when exposed to light irradiation. In this study, a hypoxia-activated NIR photosensitizer ICy-N was synthesized and successfully applied for in vivo cancer treatment. ICy-N is in the inactivated state with low fluorescence whereas its NIR emission (λ em = 716 nm) was induced via reduction caused by nitroreductase at the tumor site. In addition, the reduced product ICy-OH was specially loca

SUBMITTER: Xu F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7020795 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature