Photodynamic therapy platform based on localized delivery of photosensitizer by vaterite submicron particles

The elaboration of biocompatible and biodegradable carriers for photosensitizer targeted delivery is one of the most promising approaches in a modern photodynamic therapy (PDT). This approach is aimed at reducing sides effects connected with incidental toxicity in healthy tissue whilst also enhancing drug accumulation in the tumour area. In the present work, Photosens-loaded calcium carbonate (CaCO3) submicron particles in vaterite modification are proposed as a novel platform for anticancer PDT. Fast penetration of the carriers (0.9±0.2μm in diameter) containing 0.12% (w/w) of the photosensitizer into NIH3T3/EGFP cells is demonstrated. The captured particles provide the dye localization inside the cell increasing its local concentration, compared with "free" Photosens solution which is uniformly distributed throughout the cell. The effect of photosensitizer encapsulation into vaterite submicron particles on cell viability under laser irradiation (670nm, 19mW/cm(2), 10min) is discussed in the work. As determined by a viability assay, the encapsulation renders Photosens more phototoxic. By this means, CaCO3 carriers allow improvement of the photosensitizer effectiveness supposing, therefore, the reduction of therapeutic dose. Summation of these effects with the simplicity, upscalability and cheapness of fabrication, biocompatibility and high payload ability of the vaterite particles hold out the prospect of a novel PDT platform.