Nanotechnology-based photodynamic therapy for neovascular disease using a supramolecular nanocarrier loaded with a dendritic photosensitizer

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) for exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) was evaluated using a supramolecular nanomedical device, that is, a novel dendritic photosensitizer (DP) encapsulated by a polymeric micelle formulation. The characteristic dendritic structure of the DP prevents aggregation of its core sensitizer, thereby inducing a highly effective photochemical reaction. With its highly selective accumulation on choroidal neovascularization (CNV) lesions, this treatment resulted in a remarkably efficacious CNV occlusion with minimal unfavorable phototoxicity.