Biodegradable nanospheres containing phthalocyanines and naphthalocyanines for targeted photodynamic tumor therapy

Preparation methods of cyanoacrylic nanocapsules or nanoparticles containing phthalocyanines and naphthalocyanines are described. Nanocapsules were obtained by interfacial polymerization in an oil-in-water emulsion. Drug encapsulation efficiency depended upon drug concentration, ethanol concentration, and phthalocyanine sulfonation degree and reached 100% in some cases. Nanocapsules size ranged from 150 to 250 nm and varied with phthalocyanine sulfonation degree and pH of the aqueous phase. Nanoparticles were prepared by the addition of monomer to an aqueous phase containing hydrophilic phthalocyanine derivatives. Depending upon the pH, sizes ranged from 10 to 380 nm. Drug binding was between 75 and 80%. These new preparations could prove useful in the photodynamic treatment of tumors.