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Published on: September 12, 2025
Mesoporous silica-based nanoplatforms for the delivery of photodynamic therapy agents
1Biomarker Branch, National Cancer Center, 323 Ilsan-ro, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do 10408 Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an established method for the treatment of cancer which utilizes light, a photosensitizer (PS), and oxygen. Unfavourable characteristics of most PSs, such as low solubility and tumour specificity have led many researchers to adopt nanoscale drug delivery platforms for use in PDT. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) form a significant part of that effort, due to their ease and controllability of synthesis, ease of loading, availability of diverse surface functionalization, and biocompatibility. Therefore, in this review, we discuss the properties of MSNs as they pertain to their use in PDT and review the latest advances in the field, comparing the different approaches currently being used.
Insights
Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) offer improved properties for photodynamic therapy (PDT) cancer treatment. This review explores MSNs
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a cancer treatment using light, a photosensitizer (PS), and oxygen.
- Limitations of traditional photosensitizers include poor solubility and tumor specificity.
- Nanoscale drug delivery systems are being explored to overcome these limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the properties of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) for photodynamic therapy (PDT).
- To discuss the latest advancements in using MSNs for PDT applications.
- To compare different MSN-based approaches in PDT.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on MSNs in PDT.
- Analysis of MSN properties relevant to drug delivery and PDT.
- Comparison of various MSN-based PDT strategies.
Main Results:
- MSNs possess advantageous characteristics for PDT, including ease of synthesis, loading, functionalization, and biocompatibility.
- MSNs can effectively encapsulate and deliver photosensitizers, enhancing their solubility and tumor targeting.
- Diverse strategies for MSN-based PDT are being investigated, showing promising results.
Conclusions:
- MSNs represent a promising platform for developing advanced photodynamic therapy strategies.
- Further research into MSN functionalization and targeting can optimize PDT efficacy.
- MSNs offer a versatile solution to improve the clinical applicability of PDT for cancer treatment.
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