Luminescent lanthanide-based molecular materials: applications in photodynamic therapy

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemistry
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Luminescent lanthanide molecular compounds are emerging as potent photosensitizers (PSs) for cancer photodynamic therapy (PDT).
• Photosensitizers are non-toxic until activated by light, generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) to induce cancer cell apoptosis.
• Their predictable systemic toxicity, specificity, and minimal invasiveness make them attractive for cancer treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in luminescent lanthanide-based molecular materials used as photosensitizers.
• To highlight their applications in photodynamic therapy for cancer treatment.
• To outline future challenges in developing robust lanthanide-based photosensitizers for phototheranostic applications.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on luminescent lanthanide molecular compounds for PDT.
• Categorization of materials into lanthanide coordination complexes, nanoscale coordination polymers, and nanoscale metal-organic frameworks.
• Analysis of their photophysical properties and therapeutic potential.

Main Results:

• Luminescent lanthanide materials show significant promise as photosensitizers in PDT.
• Various molecular architectures, including complexes, polymers, and MOFs, have been explored.
• These materials demonstrate efficient ROS generation upon light irradiation.

Conclusions:

• Luminescent lanthanide molecular materials represent a significant advancement in PDT for cancer.
• Further research is needed to overcome challenges in developing robust and clinically applicable photosensitizers.
• This field holds potential for designing next-generation phototheranostic agents.