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Updated: Apr 11, 2026
Anticancer Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy with Lung Cancer-Targeted Nanoparticles
Published on: December 1, 2016
Endoplasmic reticulum targeted photosensitizer with high photostability and dual ROS generation for breast cancer PDT
Wenzhao Shang1, Cuiping Yang2, Lulu Sun3
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, PR China.
Abstract:
In tumor photodynamic therapy, the development of theranostic probes with favorable targeting capability, biocompatibility, and high photosensitizing activity is essential for enhancing therapeutic precision and efficacy. However, most existing probes are limited by insufficient targeting and an imbalance between phototoxicity and biosafety. In this study, we synthesized a biocompatible luminogen (compound 3), which can be applied to pH sensing, in vivo non-invasive imaging, and tumor photodynamic therapy. It exhibited excellent biocompatibility, specificity to the endoplasmic reticulum, photostability, and long-term imaging ability owing to high photostability in vitro and high tissue penetration in vivo. Furthermore, compound 3 could rapidly infiltrate living zebrafish embryos through the eggshell and penetrate the deeper layers. Moreover, compound 3 exhibits excellent imaging performance under two-photon excitation. Finally, compound 3 kills cancer cells by inducing apoptosis, pyroptosis, and immunogenic cell death under low-power white light irradiation. In the in vivo experiments, tumor tissues were eliminated with only one dose of photodynamic therapy treatment, positioning it an ideal photosensitizer candidate for photodynamic therapy.
Insights
A new biocompatible luminogen (compound 3) shows promise for tumor photodynamic therapy. It offers effective cancer cell killing and tumor elimination with minimal doses, improving therapeutic precision and biosafety.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Photochemistry
- Oncology
Background:
- Developing effective theranostic probes for tumor photodynamic therapy (PDT) is crucial for precise cancer treatment.
- Existing probes often struggle with insufficient tumor targeting, leading to an imbalance between therapeutic efficacy and biosafety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and evaluate a novel biocompatible luminogen (compound 3) for enhanced tumor photodynamic therapy.
- To assess its capabilities in pH sensing, in vivo imaging, and cancer cell destruction.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of a biocompatible luminogen (compound 3).
- Evaluation of its biocompatibility, endoplasmic reticulum specificity, and photostability in vitro and in vivo.
- Assessment of its penetration in zebrafish embryos and imaging performance under two-photon excitation.
- Testing its efficacy in inducing cancer cell death (apoptosis, pyroptosis, immunogenic cell death) and in vivo tumor elimination via photodynamic therapy.
Main Results:
- Compound 3 demonstrated excellent biocompatibility, endoplasmic reticulum specificity, and long-term imaging ability due to high photostability and tissue penetration.
- It effectively penetrated zebrafish embryos and showed strong two-photon imaging performance.
- Compound 3 induced cancer cell death and eliminated tumor tissues in vivo after a single photodynamic therapy treatment.
Conclusions:
- Compound 3 is a promising theranostic probe for tumor photodynamic therapy, offering improved targeting, biocompatibility, and efficacy.
- Its ability to induce multiple cell death pathways and achieve complete tumor elimination positions it as an ideal photosensitizer candidate.
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