AFM imaging, fractal analysis and in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation of Zn(II) vs. Cu(II) porphyrins

Comparative cytotoxicity assays performed using a free porphyrin and its Zn(II), Co(II) and Cu() Complexes. Influence of optical and aggregation properties

“…In this respect, experiments were focused to improve cellular uptake of the porphyrins acting as photosensitizers both by hindering their aggregation processes and by increasing their hydrophilicity [5]. A chlorin water-soluble conjugate with 4arylaminoquinazoline moiety was proven to be suitable for photodynamic therapy (PDT), exhibiting dark and photoinduced cytotoxicity at very low micromolar concentrations (IC50dark/IC50light ratio of [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18], and prefers to accumulate in the tumor tissue [6].…”

“…Unsymmetrical porphyrinic complexes with Cu(II) and Zn(II) were used in photodynamic therapy of cancer on human histiocytic lymphoma (U937) cell line and did not damage membrane integrity, but acted as cytostatics at higher concentrations, after 24 h incubation [12]. Functionalized mesotetraphenylporphyrin with two nitro groups were coupled with l-phenylalanine or 1-carboxylmethyl-5-fluorouracil and metalated with Co(II) or Mn(II) for further use against cancer stem-like cells from human esophageal carcinoma (Ec9706) cell line in PDT trials [13].…”