Photocytotoxicity of liposomal zinc phthalocyanine in oral squamous cell carcinoma and pharyngeal carcinoma cells.

Photodynamic therapy utilizes a light-sensitive molecule that produces reactive oxygen species following irradiation. Photodynamic activities of free Zn phthalocyanine (ZnPc) and its liposomal formulations on human oral squamous cell carcinoma and pharyngeal carcinoma cells were assessed. ZnPc was incorporated in extruded and nonextruded liposomes composed of palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylglycerol (POPG):palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC) or POPG:dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine liposomes and incubated with CAL 27 or FaDu cells.