Polyion complex micelles entrapping cationic dendrimer porphyrin: effective photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy of cancer

J Control Release. 2003 Dec 5;93(2):141-50. doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2003.05.002.

Abstract

Photosensitizers play a crucial role in the photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancer. In this study, a third-generation aryl ether dendrimer porphyrin with 32 primary amine groups on the periphery, [NH2CH2CH2NHCO]32DPZn, and pH-sensitive, polyion complex micelles (PIC) composed of the porphyrin dendrimer and PEG-b-poly(aspartic acid), were evaluated as new photosensitizers (PSs) for PDT in the Lewis Lung Carcinoma (LLC) cell line. The preliminary photophysical characteristics of [NH2CH2CH2NHCO]32DPZn and the corresponding micelles were investigated. Electrostatic assembly resulted in a red-shift of the Soret peak of the porphyrin core and the enhanced fluorescence. Compared to the dendrimer porphyrin [NH2CH2CH2NHCO]32DPZn, relatively low cellular uptake of dendrimer porphyrin [NH2CH2CH2NHCO]32DPZn incorporated in the PIC micelle was observed, yet the latter exhibited enhanced photodynamic efficacy on the LLC cell line. Importantly, the use of PIC micelles as a delivery system reduced the dark toxicity of the cationic dendrimer porphyrin, probably due to the biocompatible PEG shell of the micelles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aspartic Acid / chemistry
  • Carcinoma, Lewis Lung / pathology
  • Drug Carriers / pharmacology*
  • Forecasting
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Metalloporphyrins / chemical synthesis
  • Metalloporphyrins / metabolism
  • Metalloporphyrins / pharmacology*
  • Micelles*
  • Nanotechnology
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Phenyl Ethers / chemical synthesis
  • Phenyl Ethers / metabolism
  • Phenyl Ethers / pharmacology*
  • Photochemotherapy / methods*
  • Photosensitizing Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Photosensitizing Agents / pharmacology
  • Photosensitizing Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Phototherapy
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry
  • Polyethylene Glycols / pharmacology
  • Polymers
  • Porphyrins / chemistry*
  • Proteins / chemistry
  • Proteins / pharmacology
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Drug Carriers
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Metalloporphyrins
  • Micelles
  • Phenyl Ethers
  • Photosensitizing Agents
  • Polymers
  • Porphyrins
  • Proteins
  • polyethylene glycol-block-polyaspartic acid
  • Aspartic Acid
  • Polyethylene Glycols