Bunin DA, Martynov AG, Gvozdev DA, Gorbunova YG. Phthalocyanine aggregates in the photodynamic therapy: dogmas, controversies, and future prospects.
Biophys Rev 2023;
15:983-998. [PMID:
37975002 PMCID:
PMC10643719 DOI:
10.1007/s12551-023-01129-7]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT), a rapidly developing method for the treatment of cancer and bacterial diseases, is based on the photosensitization of oxygen to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) that destroy specific biological targets. Among the various photosensitizers, phthalocyanines (Pc) have attracted particular attention due to their excellent photophysical properties, most of which meet the therapeutic requirements. The statement that aggregation of Pc-based photosensitizers is undesirable because it suppresses ROS generation has become commonplace in PDT. In this review, we have collected and discussed a number of works whose results refute this well-established axiom and show that aggregated forms of phthalocyanines can still exhibit photodynamic activity, in some cases in synergy with the photothermal and optoacoustic effects. In addition, ROS generation can be induced by aggregates under the conditions of sonodynamic therapy.
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