Protoporphyrin IX: An Endogenous Theranostic Compound

Abstract

Porphyria, cancer, and atherosclerosis patients manifest increased concentration of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) in tissues and blood, and PpIX fluorescence can be used to diagnose these diseases. This review will describe the role of PpIX inside the cells and organisms. Diagnosis and therapy approach using PpIX will be described. Finally, we will also evaluate if PpIX could be used to diagnose and treat Covid-19 since an abnormal phenomenon related to hemoglobin dysfunction was observed in the patients with this disease.