BODIPYs in PDT: A Journey through the Most Interesting Molecules Produced in the Last 10 Years

Abstract

Over the past 30 years, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has shown great development. In the clinical setting the few approved molecules belong almost exclusively to the porphyrin family; but in the scientific field, in recent years many researchers have been interested in other families of photosensitizers, among which BODIPY has shown particular interest. BODIPY is the acronym for 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a, 4a-diaza-s-indacene, and is a family of molecules well-known for their properties in the field of imaging. In order for these molecules to be used in PDT, a structural modification is necessary which involves the introduction of heavy atoms, such as bromine and iodine, in the beta positions of the pyrrole ring; this change favors the intersystem crossing, and increases the 1O2 yield. This mini review focused on a series of structural changes made to BODIPYs to further increase 1O2 production and bioavailability by improving cell targeting or photoactivity efficiency.

Evaluation of Nanoparticles Covalently Bound with BODIPY for Their Photodynamic Therapy Applicability

“…A heavy atom introduction, such as iodine, in the β-position, is necessary to quench the fluorescence and improve the intersystem crossing (ISC) to achieve an increased production of 1 O 2 [ 22 ]. An iodization reaction was performed according to a modification developed in our laboratory of the Nagano method [ 6 ].…”

Photodynamic Therapy: From the Basics to the Current Progress of N-Heterocyclic-Bearing Dyes as Effective Photosensitizers

“…There is nothing more thoughtful than taking the chemical and biological differences between tumor and healthy cells and, from these, building systems that allow their accumulation and activation only at the target site. Although not exclusive to BODIPYs, many “on/off” strategies, such as the one previously detailed on croconaines ( Figure 11 ), have been extensively reported for this class of dyes [ 322 , 323 ]: the development of polymers, nanoparticles, or pH-responsive PSs that are only activated in acidic media characteristic of the tumor microenvironment [ 324 , 325 ]; the creation of GSH-cleavable quencher moieties containing PSs since the concentration of GSH in tumors is exacerbated higher than in normal cells [ 326 , 327 ]; and the design of systems that undergo activation by enzymatic degradation [ 328 , 329 ].…”

Highly selective and sensitive fluorescent “TURN-ON” furan-based Schiff base for zinc(ii) ion probing: chemical synthesis, DFT studies, and X-ray crystal structure

“…The upward curvature of the plot's linearity revealed a positive departure from the linear plot that demonstrated the binding mechanism's role in the strong interaction between the fluorophore for Zn 2+ ions. [76][77][78][79][80][81][82][83] Application in a real environmental water sample…”