Rational design of a "dual lock-and-key" supramolecular photosensitizer based on aromatic nucleophilic substitution for specific and enhanced photodynamic therapy.

ABSTRACT: Photosensitizing agents are essential for precise and efficient photodynamic therapy (PDT). However, most of the conventional photosensitizers still suffer from limitations such as aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) in physiological environments and toxic side-effects on normal tissues during treatment, leading to reduced therapeutic efficacy. Thus, integrating excellent photophysical properties and accurate carcinoma selectivity in a photosensitizer system remains highly desired. Herein, a "dual lock-and-key" supramolecular photosensitizer BIBCl-PAE NPs for specific and enhanced cancer therapy is reported. BIBCl-PAE NPs are constructed by encapsulating a rationally designed glutathione (GSH)-activatable photosensitizer BIBCl in a pH-responsive diblock copolymer. In normal tissues, BIBCl i

SUBMITTER: Teng KX 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8162035 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature