Conjugates of Porphyrinoid-Based Photosensitizers with Cytotoxic Drugs: Current Progress and Future Directions toward Selective Photodynamic Therapy

J Med Chem. 2022 Feb 10;65(3):1695-1734. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01953. Epub 2022 Jan 20.

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment modality where light-mediated activation of photosensitizers in a patient's body leads to the generation of cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS), eliminating cancer cells. One direction that has been firmly established over past years is the conjugation of photosensitizers with various molecules that demonstrate their own cytotoxic activity. As a result, improved selectivity and treatment outcomes are observed compared to those of unconjugated drugs. The attractiveness of such an approach is due to the variability of cytotoxic warheads and specific linkers available for the construction of conjugates. In this review, we summarize and analyze data concerning these inventions with the ultimate goal to find a promising conjugation partner for a porphyrinoid-based photosensitizer. The current challenges toward successful conjugation are also outlined and discussed. We hope that this review will motivate researchers to pay closer attention to conjugates and possibilities hidden in these molecules for the PDT of cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / radiation effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Humans
  • Light
  • Metalloporphyrins / chemistry
  • Metalloporphyrins / pharmacology
  • Metalloporphyrins / radiation effects
  • Metalloporphyrins / therapeutic use*
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Photochemotherapy
  • Photosensitizing Agents / chemistry
  • Photosensitizing Agents / pharmacology
  • Photosensitizing Agents / radiation effects
  • Photosensitizing Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Metalloporphyrins
  • Photosensitizing Agents
  • Reactive Oxygen Species