Photodynamic effect of functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes: a potential sensitizer for photodynamic therapy

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) possess unique physical and chemical properties, which make them very attractive for a wide range of applications. In particular, SWNTs and their composites have shown a great potential for photodynamic therapy (PDT). SWNTs have usually been used for photothermal therapy; herein, the photodynamic effect of two functionalized SWNTs are detected under visible light illumination in vitro and in vivo. The results indicated that the photodynamic effect is not entirely dependent on illumination time, but also on the modification method of the SWNTs. The ability of SWNTs complexes to combine with photodynamic therapy significantly improved the therapeutic efficacy of cancer treatment, and the combined treatment demonstrated a synergistic effect. These findings suggest that the SWNTs composite has great potential as sensitizer for PDT.