| Nanotechnology and Photodynamic therapy combination: A prospective cancer management strategy |
| Paper ID : 1003-NFOS-FULL |
| Authors |
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Doaa Abdel Faddel * National institute of laser enhanced sciences, Cairo university |
| Abstract |
| Background: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a modality of cancer treatment that relies on a photochemical reaction between a photosensitizer and a light source in the presence of oxygen. Photosensitizers are excited by a specific light wavelength, producing reactive oxygen species, destroying the irradiated tumor tissues only, keeping the distant healthy tissues unaffected. The success of PDT depends on the adequate choice of photosensitizer and the light source. Most photosensitizers face challenges, such as poor bioavailability and non-selectivity, limiting their clinical use. Concurring with the recent advances in pharmaceutical nanotechnology, several drug delivery nano-systems were developed. Method: We designed and characterized several photosensitizer-nanoparticle conjugates (PS-NPs) e.g., Curcumin-PEGylated lipid nanocarriers, Curcumin-Gold nanoparticles, Rose Bengal/Eosin-Gold-Polypyrrole hybrids, and TMPyP-Ethosomes. The photocytotoxicity of the prepared conjugates were tested on several cancer cell lines. In vivo studies on tumor-bearing animals were conducted. Results: The prepared PS-NPs were spherical in shape with high loading efficiencies and exhibited nano-particle size (10-100 nm), and Zeta potential (-20 to +30 mV), indicating high stability. The viability of cells treated with PS-NPs was significantly lower than those treated with the free PS, and it decreased upon irradiation by a suitable light source. Histopathological studies showed that tumors treated by PS-NPs followed by irradiation showed wide areas of necrotic tissues and fewer viable tumor cells. Conclusion: PDT and nanotechnology combination provide a promising cancer treatment strategy that delivers the treatment to the target tissues, saving the healthy ones |
| Keywords |
| Photodynamic therapy, nanodelivery systems, photosensitizer |
| Status: Accepted |