Macrophage-Targeted Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses light activatable molecules that after illumination produce reactive oxygen species and unwanted tissue destruction. PDT has dual selectivity due to control of light delivery and to some extent selective photosensitizer (PS) accumulation in tumors or other diseased ti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology 2004-05, Vol.17 (2), p.117-126
Main Authors: Demidova, T. N., Hamblin, M. R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Arteriosclerosis - therapy
Humans
Macrophages - immunology
Neoplasms - therapy
Photochemotherapy
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Summary:Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses light activatable molecules that after illumination produce reactive oxygen species and unwanted tissue destruction. PDT has dual selectivity due to control of light delivery and to some extent selective photosensitizer (PS) accumulation in tumors or other diseased tissue, additional targeted selectivity of PS for disease is necessary. The delivery of drugs to selected lesions can be enhanced by the preparation of targeted macromolecular conjugates that employ cell type specific targeting by ligand-receptor recognition. Macrophages and monocytes express a scavenger-receptor that is a high-capacity route for delivering molecules into endocytic compartments in a cell-type specific manner. We have shown that by attaching PS to scavenger-receptor ligands it is possible to get three logs of selective cell killing in macrophages while leaving non-macrophage cells unharmed. The capability to selectively kill macrophages has applications in treating cancer and in the detection and therapy of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque and possibly for autoimmune disease and some infections.
ISSN:0394-6320
2058-7384
DOI:10.1177/039463200401700203