Self‐Assembled Porphyrinoids: One‐Component Nanostructured Photomedicines

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is becoming a promising way to treat various kinds of cancers, with few side effects. Porphyrinoids are the most relevant photosensitizers (PS) in PDT, because they present high extinction coefficients, biocompatibility, and excellent photochemical behavior. To maximize therapeutic effects, polymer‐PS conjugates, and PS‐loaded nanoparticles have been developed, with insights in improving tumor delivery. However, some drawbacks such as non‐biodegradability, multistep fabrication, and low reagent loadings limit their clinical application. A novel strategy, noted by some authors as the “one‐for‐all” approach, is emerging to circumvent the use of additional delivery agents. This approach relies on the self‐assembly of amphiphilic PS to fabricate nanostructures with improved transport properties. In this review we focus on different rational designs of porphyrinoid PS to achieve some of the following attributes in nanoassembly: i) selective uptake, through the incorporation of recognizable biological vectors; ii) responsiveness to stimuli; iii) combination of imaging and therapeutic functions; and iv) multimodal therapy, including photothermal or chemotherapy abilities.

Graphene quantum dot-porphyrin/phthalocyanine multifunctional hybrid systems: from interfacial dialogue to application

“…Currently, the “one-for-all” concept is gaining support in the field of photonanomedicines, where it overcomes the limitations concerning multistep fabrication and low reagent loading of traditional delivery systems based on various nanoparticles. 266…”

“…The toxicity of GO is a consequence of the change in the cell membrane integrity, resulting in the hemolysis of cells, which is not the case with GQDs. 266…”

“…Currently, the "one-for-all" concept is gaining support in the field of photonanomedicines, where it overcomes the limitations concerning multistep fabrication and low reagent loading of traditional delivery systems based on various nanoparticles. 266 In 2015, Su et al first synthesized porphyrin-functionalized graphene oxide for the photothermal ablation of the glioblastoma cell line U87-MG using 808 nm irradiation. 267 The findings pave the way for the therapeutic use of graphene nanosheets in cancer treatment, particularly for deep-seated tumors.…”

“…Various parameters such as concentration, chemical doping, methods of synthesis, particle size, and surface functionalization govern the uptake mechanism of GQDs inside cells and their toxicity. 266,270,271 GQDs can be internalized through caveolae-mediated endocytosis and are partially involved in the energy-dependent endocytosis pathway in human gastric cancer (MGC-803) and breast cancer (MCF-7) cells. In addition, it has been reported that nanometer-sized GQDs are less toxic compared to micrometer-sized graphene oxide (GO) based on different biological studies such as intracellular ROS level, cell viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, and cell cycles.…”

“…The toxicity of GO is a consequence of the change in the cell membrane integrity, resulting in the hemolysis of cells, which is not the case with GQDs. 266 GQD-Pp/Pc-based hybrid systems with more favorable photophysical properties can serve as third-generation PSs. GQD-porphyrin/Pcs hybrid systems can generate a high quantum yield of ROS, mainly singlet oxygen, upon light irradiation, exhibiting great potential for enhanced PDT and PTT combined therapy in both in vitro and in vivo models.…”