Cryodesiccation-driven crystallization preparation approach for zinc(II)-phthalocyanine nanodots in cancer photodynamic therapy and photoacoustic imaging

Mikrochim Acta. 2019 Mar 13;186(4):237. doi: 10.1007/s00604-019-3286-z.

Abstract

Multifunctional nanodots represent an emerging platform for overcoming the delivery challenges of poorly water-soluble drugs for use in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The authors describe the preparation of nanocrystallites composed of the water-insoluble photosensitizer zinc(II)-phthalocyanine in the form of nanodots by applying a cryodesiccation-driven crystallization approach. Modification of the surface of the nanodots with Pluronic F127 and folic acid endows them with excellent water solubility and stealth properties in blood. Under near-infrared (NIR) photoexcitation at 808 nm, the nanodots are shown to produce singlet oxygen, which is widely used in photodynamic therapy of cancer. The nanodots exhibit strong NIR absorbance at 808 nm and can be used as a non-toxic contrast agent for photoacoustic imaging of tissue. Graphical abstract Schematic presentation of the preparation of ZnPcNDs by droplet-confined/cryodesiccation-driven crystallization.

Keywords: Contrast agent; Folic acid; Near-infrared photoexcitation; Pluronic F127; Singlet oxygen.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Contrast Media / radiation effects
  • Contrast Media / therapeutic use*
  • Contrast Media / toxicity
  • Crystallization
  • Drug Carriers / radiation effects
  • Drug Carriers / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Carriers / toxicity
  • Folic Acid / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Indoles / radiation effects
  • Indoles / therapeutic use*
  • Indoles / toxicity
  • Infrared Rays
  • Isoindoles
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Organometallic Compounds / radiation effects
  • Organometallic Compounds / therapeutic use*
  • Organometallic Compounds / toxicity
  • Photoacoustic Techniques / methods
  • Photochemotherapy / methods
  • Photosensitizing Agents / radiation effects
  • Photosensitizing Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Photosensitizing Agents / toxicity
  • Poloxamer / chemistry
  • Quantum Dots / radiation effects
  • Quantum Dots / therapeutic use*
  • Quantum Dots / toxicity
  • Singlet Oxygen / therapeutic use
  • Zinc Compounds

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Drug Carriers
  • Indoles
  • Isoindoles
  • Organometallic Compounds
  • Photosensitizing Agents
  • Zinc Compounds
  • Poloxamer
  • Zn(II)-phthalocyanine
  • Singlet Oxygen
  • Folic Acid