Synthesis of phthalocyanine conjugates with gold nanoparticles and liposomes for photodynamic therapy

• Published in: Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology Biology, 2012-02, Vol.107, p.35-44
• Main Authors: Nombona, Nolwazi, Maduray, Kaminee, Antunes, Edith, Karsten, Aletta, Nyokong, Tebello
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Absorption; breast neoplasms; Cell Line, Tumor; cell viability; fibroblasts; Gold - chemistry; Gold nanoparticles; Humans; Indoles - chemistry; Liposome; Liposomes; Metal Nanoparticles - chemistry; nanogold; neoplasm cells; Organometallic Compounds - administration & dosage; Organometallic Compounds - chemical synthesis; Organometallic Compounds - chemistry; photobiology; photochemistry; Photochemotherapy - methods; Photodynamic therapy; photosensitizing agents; Photosensitizing Agents - administration & dosage; Photosensitizing Agents - chemical synthesis; Photosensitizing Agents - chemistry; phototoxicity; Phthalocyanine; reactive oxygen species; Singlet Oxygen - chemistry; Spectrometry, Fluorescence; therapeutics; Zinc - chemistry
• ISSN: 1011-1344; 1873-2682
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2011.11.007

[2,9,17,23-Tris-(1,6-hexanedithiol)phthalocyaninato]zinc(II) exhibit good photodynamic therapy (PDT) activity towards breast cancer cells when attached to the liposome, gold nanoparticles showed only moderate improvement of PDT activity. [Display omitted] ► Zinc phthalocyanine tetra substituted with hexanedithiol was synthesized. ► The complex was tested for photodynamic therapy towards cancer cells. ► The activity was improved in liposomes.► Gold nanoparticles only showed moderate improvement. The efficiency of [2,9,17,23-tetrakis-(1,6-hexanedithiol)phthalocyaninato]zinc(II) as a photodynamic therapy (PDT) agent was investigated. This compound belongs to the second generation of photosensitizers currently tested for the cellular photo-damage of cancer cells. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and phototoxicity of the photosensitizer were assessed. Healthy fibroblast cells and breast cancer (MCF-7) cells were treated with either free phthalocyanine or phthalocyanine bound to either gold nanoparticles or encapsulated in liposomes. Cell viability studies showed the optimum phototoxic effect on non-malignant cells to be 4.5 J cm −2. The PDT effect of the liposome bound phthalocyanine showed extensive damage of the breast cancer cells. Gold nanoparticles only showed a modest improvement in PDT activity.