Nanoscale Metal-Organic Layer Isolates Phthalocyanines for Efficient Mitochondria-Targeted Photodynamic Therapy

J Am Chem Soc. 2021 Feb 10;143(5):2194-2199. doi: 10.1021/jacs.0c12330. Epub 2021 Feb 2.

Abstract

Zinc-phthalocyanine (ZnPc) photosensitizers (PSs) have shown great potential in photodynamic therapy (PDT) owing to their strong absorption at long wavelengths (650-750 nm), high triplet quantum yields, and biocompatibility. However, the clinical utility of ZnPc PSs is limited by their poor solubility and tendency to aggregate in aqueous environments. Here we report the design of a new nanoscale metal-organic layer (nMOL) assembly, ZnOPPc@nMOL, with ZnOPPc [ZnOPPc = zinc(II)-2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octa(4-carboxyphenyl)phthalocyanine] PSs supported on the secondary building units (SBUs) of a Hf12 nMOL for PDT. Upon irradiation, SBU-bound ZnOPPc PSs absorb 700 nm light and efficiently sensitize the formation of singlet oxygen by preventing aggregation-induced self-quenching of ZnOPPc excited states. With intrinsic mitochondria-targeting capability, ZnOPPc@nMOL showed exceptional PDT efficacy with >99% tumor growth inhibition and 40-60% cure rates on two mouse models of colon cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Indoles / chemistry*
  • Indoles / pharmacology*
  • Indoles / therapeutic use
  • Isoindoles
  • Mice
  • Mitochondria / drug effects*
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Mitochondria / radiation effects
  • Nanomedicine*
  • Organometallic Compounds / chemistry*
  • Organometallic Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Organometallic Compounds / therapeutic use
  • Photochemotherapy*
  • Photosensitizing Agents / chemistry*
  • Photosensitizing Agents / pharmacology*
  • Photosensitizing Agents / therapeutic use
  • Singlet Oxygen / metabolism
  • Solubility
  • Zinc Compounds

Substances

  • Indoles
  • Isoindoles
  • Organometallic Compounds
  • Photosensitizing Agents
  • Zinc Compounds
  • Zn(II)-phthalocyanine
  • Singlet Oxygen