Taking phototherapeutics from concept to clinical launch
Brianna M Vickerman1, Emilia M Zywot2, Teresa K Tarrant3
1Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
Nature Reviews. Chemistry
|April 28, 2023
Summary
Light-activated drugs offer precise control for treating diseases. Recent advances focus on photoresponsive compounds that penetrate tissues, moving closer to clinical use.
Area of Science:
- Photomedicine
- Drug Delivery
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Light-activated (caged) compounds offer spatial and temporal control over biological processes.
- Their application in drug delivery and activation has been limited by light penetration issues.
- Recent development of photoresponsive drugs in the optical window of tissue (600-900 nm) addresses these limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent discoveries in phototherapeutics responsive to near-infrared light.
- To discuss the limitations and clinical opportunities of these emerging light-activated drugs.
- To highlight the path toward clinical translation of phototherapeutics.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent advancements in light-activated drug research.
- Analysis of studies focusing on tissue penetrance and wavelength dependency.
- Discussion of preliminary in vivo studies and potential disease applications.
Main Results:
- Several novel phototherapeutics operating within the optical window of tissue have been developed.
- Preliminary in vivo studies show promise but highlight challenges for clinical translation.
- The wavelength-dependent nature of light penetration remains a critical factor.
Conclusions:
- Phototherapeutics offer unique advantages for targeted drug delivery and activation.
- Further research and development are needed to overcome limitations in tissue penetration and in vivo efficacy.
- These light-activated drugs hold significant potential for various disease applications, pending successful clinical translation.
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