Tetraamido-substituted 2,3-naphthalocyanine zinc(II) complexes as phototherapeutic agents: synthesis, comparative photochemical and photobiological studies

Towards optimized naphthalocyanines as sonochromes for photoacoustic imaging in vivo

In this paper we establish a methodology to predict photoacoustic imaging capabilities from the structure of absorber molecules (sonochromes). The comparative in vitro and in vivo screening of naphthalocyanines and cyanine dyes has shown a substitution pattern dependent shift in photoacoustic excitation wavelength, with distal substitution producing the preferred maximum around 800 nm. Central ion change showed variable production of photoacoustic signals, as well as singlet oxygen photoproduction and fluorescence with the optimum for photoacoustic imaging being nickel(II). Our approach paves the way for the design, evaluation and realization of optimized sonochromes as photoacoustic contrast agents.

Tetra-2,3-pyrazinoporphyrazines with externally appended pyridine rings. 12. New heteropentanuclear complexes carrying four exocyclic cis-platin-like functionalities as potential bimodal (PDT/cis-platin) anticancer agents

Heteropentanuclear porphyrazines having the formula [(PtCl2)4LM] where L = tetrakis-2,3-[5,6-di(2-pyridyl)pyrazino]porphyrazinato dianion and M = Zn(II), Mg(II)(H2O), Pd(II), Cu(II) or Co(II) were characterized by elemental analyses, IR-UV-visible spectroscopy and electrochemistry and the data compared to new and previously published results for the corresponding homopentanuclear compound [(PtCl2)4LPt]. This latter species has four external N2(py)PtCl2 coordination sites which closely resemble cis-platin, (NH3)2PtCl2, the potent chemotherapeutic anticancer drug, and is able to act as a photosensitizer for the generation of (1)O2, the cytotoxic agent in photodynamic therapy (PDT). UV-visible spectra and half wave potentials for reduction of [(PtCl2)4LM], [(PtCl2)4LPt], the parallel series of mononuclear [LM] compounds and the pentanuclear [(PdCl2)4LM] compounds were examined in the nonaqueous solvents dimethyl sulfoxide, pyridine, and dimethylformamide. The complete set of available data indicate that external coordination of the PtCl2 and PdCl2 units significantly increases the level of the electron-deficiency of the entire molecular framework despite the fact that these groups are far away from the central porphyrazine π-ring system and have coordination sites nearly orthogonal to the plane of the macrocycle. The pentanuclear species [(M'Cl2)4LM] (M' = Pt(II), Pd(II)) undergo multiple one-electron transfers and exhibit an easier reducibility as compared to related electrode reactions of the parent compounds [LM] having the same central metal. Aggregation phenomena and reducibility of the porphyrazines to their monoanionic form (prevalently in DMF) are observed for some of the examined compounds and were analyzed and accurately taken into account. Quantum yields of (1)O2 (ΦΔ), of interest in PDT, were measured for [(PtCl2)4LM] with M = Zn(II), Mg(II)(H2O), or Pd(II) and the related macrocycles [(PdCl2)4LM] and [LM] in dimethylformamide (DMF) and/or DMF preacidified with HCl (DMF/HCl, [HCl]: 1-2 × 10(-4) M). Excellent ΦΔ values (0.5-0.6) which qualify the compounds as potent photosensitizers in PDT were obtained for the pentanuclear species having Zn(II) or Pd(II) as central metal ions. The [(PtCl2)4LZn] and [(PtCl2)4LPd] complexes are of special interest as potential bimodal anticancer agents because of the incorporated four cis-platin-like functionalities.

Unique diagnostic and therapeutic roles of porphyrins and phthalocyanines in photodynamic therapy, imaging and theranostics

Porphyrinic molecules have a unique theranostic role in disease therapy; they have been used to image, detect and treat different forms of diseased tissue including age-related macular degeneration and a number of different cancer types. Current focus is on the clinical imaging of tumour tissue; targeted delivery of photosensitisers and the potential of photosensitisers in multimodal biomedical theranostic nanoplatforms. The roles of porphyrinic molecules in imaging and pdt, along with research into improving their selective uptake in diseased tissue and their utility in theranostic applications are highlighted in this Review.

Singlet Oxygen Quantum Yields of Different Photosensitizers in Polar Solvents and Micellar Solutions

The singlet oxygen luminescence method and the photochemical methods using 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran ( DPBF ) or bilirubin ditaurate ( BDT ) as chemical quenchers were employed to determine the single oxygen quantum yields (ΦΔ) of different phthalocyanines and tris(2,2″-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) dichloride in dimethylformamide ( DMF ) or aqueous micellar solution of 0.1 M CTAC (cetyltrimethylammonium chloride). Additionally, a perylenetetracarboxylic acid diimide derivative was examined in DMF . In a series of tetrasulfonated phthalocyanines ( PTS ) the following order was found: ZnPTS > GaPTS > AlPTS ≈ H 2 PTS > CoPTS . In general, the singlet oxygen quantum yields are higher in DMF than in 0.1 M CTAC/H 2 O . The results obtained with the photochemical systems are comparable with those obtained by the photophysical method.

The photochemical DPBF method results in absolute values of ΦΔ. However, in micellar solution, chain reactions occur when DPBF is used as chemical quencher in the photo-oxidative process. This problem can be overcome by adding sodium thiosulphate which is able to destroy the endoperoxide initially formed. BDT can be used as quencher in different solvents to determine ΦΔ relative to a photosensitizer with known singlet oxygen quantum yield in the respective solvent.

In comparison to the chemical methods the luminescence method exhibits the advantage that side reactions of the quencher are excluded. But normally the ΦΔ values obtained are relative to a reference, since absolute determinations need much larger efforts.

Singlet Oxygen Quantum Yields of Different Photosensitizers in Polar Solvents and Micellar Solutions

The singlet oxygen luminescence method and the photochemical methods using 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran ( DPBF ) or bilirubin ditaurate ( BDT ) as chemical quenchers were employed to determine the single oxygen quantum yields (ΦΔ) of different phthalocyanines and tris(2,2″-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) dichloride in dimethylformamide ( DMF ) or aqueous micellar solution of 0.1 M CTAC (cetyltrimethylammonium chloride). Additionally, a perylenetetracarboxylic acid diimide derivative was examined in DMF . In a series of tetrasulfonated phthalocyanines ( PTS ) the following order was found: ZnPTS > GaPTS > AlPTS ≈ H 2 PTS > CoPTS . In general, the singlet oxygen quantum yields are higher in DMF than in 0.1 M CTAC/H 2 O . The results obtained with the photochemical systems are comparable with those obtained by the photophysical method.

The photochemical DPBF method results in absolute values of ΦΔ. However, in micellar solution, chain reactions occur when DPBF is used as chemical quencher in the photo-oxidative process. This problem can be overcome by adding sodium thiosulphate which is able to destroy the endoperoxide initially formed. BDT can be used as quencher in different solvents to determine ΦΔ relative to a photosensitizer with known singlet oxygen quantum yield in the respective solvent.

In comparison to the chemical methods the luminescence method exhibits the advantage that side reactions of the quencher are excluded. But normally the ΦΔ values obtained are relative to a reference, since absolute determinations need much larger efforts.

Comparative Photodynamic Therapy of B16 Pigmented Melanoma with Different Generations of Sensitizers

In order to apply photodynamic therapy to pigmented neoplasms, comparative photosensitizing studies of B 16 pigmented melanoma in C 57 B 1/6 mice were carried out with haematoporphyrin derivative (HpD), zinc(II) phthalocyanine ( ZnPc ), zinc(II) naphthalocyanine ( ZnNc ) and tetrabenzamido-substituted zinc(II) naphthalocyanine ( ZnNcA ). By injection of the optimal drug concentration and application of the optimal dose of light irradiation (the emission of the laser dye corresponding to the λmax value of the respective sensitizer) a phototherapeutic effect was observed only after photosensitization with the longest-wavelength-absorbing sensitizer, namely ZnNcA . It is supposed that the detected, through different assessment criteria, promising phototherapeutic effect after ZnNcA photosensitization of B 16 pigmented melanoma in mice is due to suitable structural, photophysical and photochemical properties of this sensitizer, but not due to a hyperthermic effect. This assumption is supported by the results obtained after irradiation of B 16 pigmented melanoma-bearing mice with the same fluence rate and fluence but without the sensitizer. In this case the tumour temperature did not increase by more than 35 °C and no changes in the mean tumour diameter or in the malignant subcellular components were detected.

Light intensity effect on the mechanisms of tumor damage photosensitized by a substituted Zn(II)-naphthalocyanine

Cytotoxicity induced by photodynamic therapy (PDT) is connected with the phenomena of photo-oxidation. Generation of singlet oxygen and free radicals (superoxide or hydroxide) is accepted as a mechanism for the photo-oxidation action of PDT. Very little is however known about the validity of metabolitic and biochemical events observed in cell culture systems to in vivo tumor shrinkage following PDT. In the present work using the well-studied tetrabenzamido-substituted zinc (II)-naphthalocyanine ( ZnNc ) including towards pigmented melanoma, we accessed its efficacy for apoptotic processes during PDT of Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) in mice in dependence on light intensity. Early photodynamic therapy responses were examined at 1, 3, 6, 10 and 24 h after coherent 774 nm illumination of the tumors applied 24 h after intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC)-liposome-incorporated 0.5 mg kg-1 b.w. ZnNc . Fluence rates of 260, 380 and 500 mW cm-2 at a fluence of 360 J cm-2 were used. Macroscopic observations showed that tumor reduction (and its eventual elimination) depends on optimal conditions for the occurring of photochemical reaction during PDT. At the same time, electron microscopy (EM) assays demonstrated strongly expressed dependence of apoptotic processes on the applied light intensities. Features of apoptotic processes were most clearly expressed at the highest used fluence rate.

Photo-oxidative Stability and its Correlation with Semi-empirical MO Calculations of Various Tetraazaporphyrin Derivatives in Solution

The photo-oxidative stability of various annelated and substituted tetraazaporphyrin derivatives were investigated in N , N -dimethylformamide by irradiation in the presence of air. First-order rate constants were calculated. In addition, the positions of the HOMO and LUMO energy levels of the compounds were calculated using a commercially available program. A linear correlation between the experimental values of the rate constants and the theoretical values of the HOMO position exists. The method described allows one to predict the photo-oxidative stability by calculating their HOMO levels, which is very important for the use of macrocyclic metal complexes in photo-oxidation reactions in solution. From the calculated triplet energies it is considered that the macrocyclic metal complexes can convert by photoinduced energy transfer triplet oxygen to singlet oxygen. Experimentally, tetraazaporphyrin derivatives show high quantum yields of singlet oxygen formation under irradiation. No correlations of the quantum yields with the position of the HOMOs or with the rate constants of decomposition was observed.

Efficient oxidations and photooxidations with molecular oxygen using metal phthalocyanines as catalysts and photocatalysts

Metal phthalocyanines can be very efficient as catalysts and photocatalysts in oxidation reactions using molecular oxygen as oxidant. Different types of soluble low molecular weight or oligomeric and insoluble heterogeneous catalysts and photocatalysts were developed. The heterogeneous metal phthalocyanines exist either impregnated on SiO 2, Al 2 O 3, charcoal and TiO 2 or covalently and coordinatively bound on SiO 2 and organic polymers or ionically bound on an organic ion exchanger. The catalytic oxidations of toxic sulfide and thiol derivative are studied. In addition, toxic phenols were employed as substrates for the photooxidation. Heterogeneous catalysts can exhibit higher activities then low molecular weight phthalocyanines. These systems exhibit a good stability for re-use. Photooxidations are more efficient than oxidations. A Si(IV) phthalocyanine derivative on a polymer ion exchanger is most active and stable. Also some examples for photooxidations in the direction of photochemical synthesis are given.

Photodynamic therapy and the development of metal-based photosensitisers

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment modality that has been used in the successful treatment of a number of diseases and disorders, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), psoriasis, and certain cancers. PDT uses a combination of a selectively localised light-sensitive drug (known as a photosensitiser) and light of an appropriate wavelength. The light-activated form of the drug reacts with molecular oxygen to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and radicals; in a biological environment these toxic species can interact with cellular constituents causing biochemical disruption to the cell. If the homeostasis of the cell is altered significantly then the cell enters the process of cell death. The first photosensitiser to gain regulatory approval for clinical PDT was Photofrin. Unfortunately, Photofrin has a number of associated disadvantages, particularly pro-longed patient photosensitivity. To try and overcome these disadvantages second and third generation photosensitisers have been developed and investigated. This Review highlights the key photosensitisers investigated, with particular attention paid to the metallated and non-metallated cyclic tetrapyrrolic derivatives that have been studied in vitro and in vivo; those which have entered clinical trials; and those that are currently in use in the clinic for PDT.

Architectonics of phage-liposome nanowebs as optimized photosensitizer vehicles for photodynamic cancer therapy

Filamentous M13 phage can be engineered to display cancer cell-targeting or tumor-homing peptides through phage display. It would be highly desirable if the tumor-targeting phage can also carry anticancer drugs to deliver them to the cancer cells. We studied the evolution of structures of the complexes between anionic filamentous M13 phage and cationic serum-stable liposomes that encapsulate the monomeric photosensitizer zinc naphthalocyanine. At specific phage-liposome ratios, multiple phage nanofibers and liposomes are interwoven into a "nanoweb." The chemical and biological properties of the phage-liposome nanoweb were evaluated for possible application in drug delivery. This study highlights the ability of phage-liposome nanowebs to serve as efficient carriers in the transport of photosensitizers to cancer cells.

In vivo study of photosensitizer pharmacokinetics by fluorescence transillumination imaging

The possibility of in vivo investigation of the pharmacokinetics of photosensitizers by means of fluorescence transillumination imaging is demonstrated. An animal is scanned in the transilluminative configuration by a single source and detector pair. Transillumination is chosen as an alternative approach to reflection imaging. In comparison with the traditional back-reflection technique, transillumination is preferable for photosensitizer detection due to its higher sensitivity to deep-seated fluorophores. The experiments are performed on transplantable mouse cervical carcinomas using three drugs: photosens, alasens, and fotoditazin. For quantitative evaluation of the photosensitizer concentration in tumor tissue the fluorescence signal is calibrated using tissue phantoms. We show that the kinetics of photosensitizer tumor uptake obtained by transillumination imaging in vivo agree with data of standard ex vivo methods. The described approach enables rapid and cost-effective study of newly developed photosensitizers in small animals.

Si(IV)-methoxyethylene-glycol-naphthalocyanine: synthesis and pharmacokinetic and photosensitizing properties in different tumour models

A Si(IV)-naphthalocyanine bearing two methoxyethylenglycol axial ligands to the centrally coordinated metal ion (SiNc) was prepared by chemical synthesis and assayed for the phototherapeutic activity after administration in a Cremophor formulation to C57BI/6 mice bearing a subcutaneously transplanted Lewis lung carcinoma or B16 pigmented melanoma. Pharmacokinetic studies indicate that the maximal accumulation in the tumour occurs at 24 h after intraperitoneal injection of 0.5 mg kg-1 of SiNc, although the naphthalocyanine concentration in the Lewis lung carcinoma (0.70 microgram g-1) is significantly larger than that in the B16 pigmented melanoma (0.15 microgram g-1). This results in a higher selectivity of tumour targeting in the case of the lung carcinoma. Photodynamic therapy (782 nm, 370 mW cm-2, 360 J cm-2) at 24 h after SiNc injection causes an efficient tumour response for Lewis lung carcinoma (50% lower tumour diameter on day 19 post-treatment as compared to untreated controls) while the pigmented melanoma shows only a minor response regarding the rate of tumour growth.