Nanocarriers in photodynamic therapy—in vitro and in vivo studies

• Published in: Wiley interdisciplinary reviews. Nanomedicine and nanobiotechnology Vol. 12; no. 3; pp. e1509 - n/a
• Main Authors: Sztandera, Krzysztof, Gorzkiewicz, Michał, Klajnert‐Maculewicz, Barbara
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, USA John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.05.2020
• Subjects: nanocarriers; photodynamic therapy; photosensitizer; singlet oxygen; singlet oxygen; photodynamic therapy; nanocarriers; photosensitizer
• ISSN: 1939-5116; 1939-0041
• DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1599

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a minimally invasive technique which has proven to be successful in the treatment of several types of tumors. This relatively simple method exploits three inseparable elements: phototoxic compound (photosensitizer [PS]), light source, and oxygen. Upon irradiation by light with specified wavelength, PS generates reactive oxygen species, which starts the cascade of reactions leading to cell death. The positive therapeutic outcome of PDT may be limited due to several aspects, including low water solubility of PSs, hampering their effective administration and blood circulation, as well as low tumor specificity, inefficient cellular uptake and activation energies requiring prolonged illumination times. One of the promising approaches to overcome these obstacles involves the use of carrier systems modulating pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the PSs. In the present review, we summarized current in vitro and in vivo studies regarding the use of nanoparticles as potential delivery devices for PSs to enhance their cellular uptake and cytotoxic properties, and thus—the therapeutic outcome of PDT. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease The limitations of classical photodynamic therapy include hampered administration and cellular uptake of photosensitizers, as well as their disadvantageous distribution in the organism. A promising approach to overcome these obstacles involves the use of nanocarrier systems modulating biodistribution and improving pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of the drugs.