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Review
. 2019 Oct 1;58(40):14066-14080.
doi: 10.1002/anie.201814098. Epub 2019 Jul 10.

Enhancement of Photodynamic Cancer Therapy by Physical and Chemical Factors

Mingying Yang  1 , Tao Yang  2 , Chuanbin Mao  2   3
Affiliations
Review

Enhancement of Photodynamic Cancer Therapy by Physical and Chemical Factors

Mingying Yang et al. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. .

Abstract

The viable use of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in cancer therapy has never been fully realized because of its undesirable effects on healthy tissues. Herein we summarize some physicochemical factors that can make PDT a more viable and effective option to provide future oncological patients with better-quality treatment options. These physicochemical factors include light sources, photosensitizer (PS) carriers, microwaves, electric fields, magnetic fields, and ultrasound. This Review is meant to provide current information pertaining to PDT use, including a discussion of in vitro and in vivo studies. Emphasis is placed on the physicochemical factors and their potential benefits in overcoming the difficulty in transitioning PDT into the medical field. Many advanced techniques, such as employing X-rays as a light source, using nanoparticle-loaded stem cells and bacteriophage bio-nanowires as a photosensitizer carrier, as well as integration with immunotherapy, are among the future directions.

Keywords: cancer therapy; medical chemistry; microwaves; photodynamic therapy (PDT); ultrasound.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Schematic illustration showing how PDT can be enhanced by various physicochemical factors.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
An example of X-PDT. The SrAl2O4:Eu2+ (SAO) core was decorated by two silica layers (bearing MC540 photosensitizer). When the nanoparticle was irradiated with X-rays, the SAO absorbed X-ray to emit visible light (XEOL). The emitted visible light triggered the PDT by converting 3O2 into 1O2 for killing cancer cells and shrinking tumors.[25g]
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Scheme of using silica nanoparticle (SiO2NP)-loaded mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for tumor-targeted PDT. The photosensitizer used is purpurin-18 (Pp-18).[5e]
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Illustration of PPa-conjugated phage nanowires for targeted PDT. A) Nanowire-like phages with all the copies of major coat protein (pVIII) conjugated with PPa, there is no singlet oxygen production because of the close packing of PPa and thus excitonic coupling. B) Nanowire-like phages with some copies of pVIII conjugated with PPa, resulting in singlet oxygen production. C) Live/dead assay showing the use of PPa-conjugated phage nanowires for killing SKBR-3 cells by PDT triggered by 658 nm laser. The SKBR-3 cell-targeting peptide (pink line) is displayed on pVIII (green).[51]
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
The use of the NaGdF4:Yb/Er@NaGdF4-based NPs in cancer theranostics. The UCNPs (as imaging probes) were loaded with two therapeutic drugs, including doxorubicin (DOX) and camptothecin (CPT).[62]
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Use of UCMSs-MC540-TF nanovaccines to enable the integration of PDT and immunotherapy. UCNPs (β-NaYF4:20%Yb,2%Er) encapsulated by porous silica were mixed with merocyanine 540 (MC540) and antigens (tumor cell fragment). The resultant UCMSs-MC540-TF were given to a mice model. Upon irradiation of 980 nm NIR light, PDT was triggered to form tumor-associated antigens, which activated the maturation of dendritic cells. As a result, effector T cells were released to trigger immunotherapy for more effective cancer therapy.[64]
Figure 7.
Figure 7.
Two modes of generating free radicals in QD-based PDT, including electron transfer in Path I and ROS generation in Path II.[72a]
Figure 8.
Figure 8.
Microwave-induced nanoparticle activation to enhance PDT for more effective cancer therapy.
Figure 9.
Figure 9.
Illustration of using adapted Franz cell to investigate the promoted release of drugs (photosensitizers) from hydrogels by means of iontophoresis.[92]
Figure 10.
Figure 10.
Illustrations of the applications of C60-IONP-PEG/HMME. IONP and PEG are responsible for magnetic targeting and making the complex stable at physiological condition. HMME is a photosensitizer for PDT. PEG=polyethylene glycol; IONP=iron oxide nanoparticles; HMME=hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether.[93f]
Figure 11.
Figure 11.
Photoacoustic and ultrasound bimodal imaging. a) administration of CCl4 to generate liver fibrosis in mice. Healthy mice were given olive oil and served as controls. b) A handheld device with photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging capability. c) Working principle of the handheld device. d) Imaging of the mice by the device.[107]
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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