Potential use of radiolabelled porphyrins for tumor scanning

Unleashing the power of porphyrin photosensitizers: Illuminating breakthroughs in photodynamic therapy

This comprehensive review provides the current trends and recent developments of porphyrin-based photosensitizers. We discuss their evolution from first-generation to third-generation compounds, including cutting-edge nanoparticle-integrated derivatives, and explores their pivotal role in advancing photodynamic therapy (PDT) for enhanced cancer treatment. Integrating porphyrins with nanoparticles represents a promising avenue, offering improved selectivity, reduced toxicity, and heightened biocompatibility. By elucidating recent breakthroughs, innovative methodologies, and emerging applications, this review provides a panoramic snapshot of the dynamic field, addressing challenges and charting prospects. With a focus on harnessing reactive oxygen species (ROS) through light activation, PDT serves as a minimally invasive therapeutic approach. This article offers a valuable resource for researchers, clinicians, and PDT enthusiasts, highlighting the potential of porphyrin photosensitizers to improve the future of cancer therapy.

Labelling and optimization of PHOTOFRIN® with 99mTc

PHOTOFRIN® was labelled with 99mTc using SnCl2·2H2O as reducing agent. Instant thin layer chromatography (ITLC-SG) in 0.05 M NaOH was used for evaluation of radiochemical purity. Labelling efficiency was dependent on various factors that include the ligand/reductant ratio, pH and time of incubation. Therefore, optimum conditions of labelling were also determined. The stability of 99mTc-PHOTOFRIN® in serum was checked by using fresh human serum. Tissue distribution of 99mTc-PHOTOFRIN® was evaluated in Sprague Dawley rats.

PHOTOFRIN® was labelled with an efficiency of >95% under optimum conditions, which were PHOTOFRIN®: 200 μg, pH: 3–4, SnCl2·2H2O: 15 μg and 30 min incubation at room temperature. The 99mTc-labelled PHOTOFRIN® remained stable in human serum for 24 h. Biodistribution study in rats revealed maximum concentration of the labelled compound in liver, lungs and spleen at 0.5 h, and significant activity was also seen in the bladder and urine, indicating the mode of urinary excretion of PHOTOFRIN®.

Evaluation of (99m)Tc-labeled photosan-3, a hematoporphyrin derivative, as a potential radiopharmaceutical for tumor scintigraphy

A quick and reproducible method for radiolabeling of Photosan-3(R), a photosensitizer used worldwide for photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancer, with radioisotope of technetium ((99m)Tc) was developed. The radiotracer was evaluated for radiochemical purity, stability, and tissue distribution in a murine tumor model. The (99m)Tc-Photosan-3, which was prepared by using (99m)Tc-pertechnetate in place of reduced (99m)Tc, demonstrated better labeling efficiency (>90%) and reproducibility. The procedure also minimized radiation exposure to the radiochemist because handling time was considerably reduced. Due to the commercial availability of Photosan-3, the risk of batch-to-batch variation in the in situ synthesis of hematoporphyrin derivative, which is a complex mixture of at least five compounds, was also significantly reduced. The biodistribution studies and tumor scintigraphy confirmed that (99m)Tc-labeled Photosan-3 was preferentially taken up by the neoplastic tissue similar to the parent compound. In addition to its applications in tumor imaging, (99m)Tc-Photosan-3 could also be used for estimating tumor uptake of Photosan-3 as may be required for individualization of clinical protocols of PDT.

Free radicals in iron-containing systems

All oxidative damage in biological systems arises ultimately from molecular oxygen. Molecular oxygen can scavenge carbon-centered free radicals to form organic peroxyl radicals and hence organic hydroperoxides. Molecular oxygen can also be reduced in two one-electron steps to hydrogen peroxide in which case superoxide anion is an intermediate; or it can be reduced enzymatically so that no superoxide is released. Organic hydroperoxides or hydrogen peroxide can diffuse through membranes whereas hydroxyl radicals or superoxide anion cannot. Chain reactions, initiated by chelated iron and peroxides, can cause tremendous damage. Chain carriers are chelated ferrous ion; hydroxyl radical .OH, or alkoxyl radical .OR, and superoxide anion O2-. or organic peroxyl radical RO2.. Of these free radicals .OH and RO2. appear to be most harmful. All of the biological molecules containing iron are potential donors of iron as a chain initiator and propagator. An attacking role for superoxide dismutase is proposed in the phagocytic process in which it may serve as an intermediate enzyme between NADPH oxidase and myeloperoxidase. The sequence of reactants is O2----O2-.----H2O2----HOCl.