Carrier-free photosensitizer nanocrystal for photodynamic therapy

Fei Fei An*, Yanan Li, Jinfeng Zhang

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In recent years, many nanomaterials have been developed as drug carriers to overcome their low solubility. However, the poor drug loading (general <5%) requires excessive use of carrier materials which may induce side effects and inhibit their clinical translation. Herein, hydrophobic meso- tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) photosensitizer (PS) molecules are firstly assembled into pure nanocrystals by solvent exchange. Secondly, amphiphilic multidentate polymer ligand, PEG-grafted poly (maleic anhydride-alt-1-octadecene) (C 18PMH-PEG), is modified on the nanocrystal surface to enhance their stability in saline. The as-prepared drug delivery system (DDS) by the two-step strategy significantly improves the drug loading (over 87%). The DDS shows high stability in saline and is engulfed by cancer cells. Further study demonstrates that the DDS is an effective photodynamic therapeutic agent of cancer cells while the free PS molecules quickly precipitate without obvious destruction of cancer cells.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)323-326
Number of pages4
JournalMaterials Letters
Volume122
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Biomaterials
  • Drug loading
  • Luminescence
  • Nanoparticles
  • Photodynamic therapy

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