Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) loaded PLGA nanoparticles for topical Photodynamic Therapy of melanoma cells.

Introduction: Nanoparticles (Np) can increase drug efficacy and overcome problems associated with solubility and aggregation in a solution of PpIX.

Purpose: Evaluate if Np interferes in the photophysical and photobiological capacity of the PpIX comparing with free PpIX intended for topical PDT of melanoma.

Methods: In vitro photophysical evaluation of Np-PpIX was carried out through singlet oxygen (O) quantum yield.

Light source is critical to induce glioblastoma cell death by photodynamic therapy using chloro-aluminiumphtalocyanine albumin-based nanoparticles.

Selection of an efficient light source is fundamental in the development of photodynamic therapy (PDT) protocols. However, few studies provide a comparison of different light sources with regard to phototoxic effects. Here, we compared the cell death induced by photoactivation of chloro-aluminiumphtalocyanine (AlClPc)-loaded human serum albumin nanoparticles under irradiation with different light sources: continuous laser (CL), pulsed laser (PL), and light-emitting diode (LED).