Liposomal formulations of magnesium sulfanyl tribenzoporphyrazines for the photodynamic therapy of cancer

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment that uses light to activate a photosensitizer in the presence of oxygen, leading to the damage of targeted cells by the generation of reactive oxygen species. PDT is used to treat various cancers and cardiovascular, dermatological and ophthalmic diseases as well as different microbial and viral infections. The main drawbacks of currently used photosensitizers, including porphyrinoids, are poor aqueous solubility and the tendency to form aggregates. These issues have been addressed by developing drug delivery systems of which liposomes are considered one of the best and most promising. In this study, previously synthesized dendritic magnesium tribenzoporphyrazineswere incorporatedinto four types of liposome