Synthesis and photodynamic activity of novel asymmetrically substituted fluorinated phthalocyanines.

A series of asymmetrically substituted dodecafluorinated phthalocyanines has been synthesized via the Kobayashi ring expansion reaction of the corresponding dodecafluorinated boron subphthalocyanine with differently substituted 1,3-diiminoisoindolines. The mild reaction conditions employed during this ring expansion reaction gave rise exclusively to 3:1 asymmetrically substituted dodecafluorinated phthalocyanines. Metal insertion into the metal-free phthalocyanines was accomplished by heating at 40 degrees C in N,N-dimethylformamide in the presence of zinc bromide.

Targeted photodynamic therapy via receptor mediated delivery systems.

Targeted photodynamic therapy (PDT) offers the opportunity of enhancing photodynamic efficiency by directly targeting diseased cells and tissues. While antibody-conjugates have received the most attention, cellular transformations offer numerous other potent targets to exploit during the delivery of photosensitizers (PSs) for PDT. Alterations in receptor expression, increased levels of specific cell surface membrane lipids and proteins as well as changes in the cellular microenvironment all occur in diseased cells.

Metallophthalocyanines photosensitize the breakdown of (hydro)peroxides in solution to yield hydroxyl or alkoxyl and peroxyl free radicals via different interaction pathways.

Interactions of organic peroxides (R'OOR) and hydroperoxides (R'OOH), including H2O2, with excited triplet and singlet state metallophthalocyanines (MPc, M = Zn, Al) have been studied by T-T absorption decay and fluorescence quenching. The ensuing photochemical processes result in decomposition of (hydro)peroxides as assessed by photo-EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance) and spin trapping. In argon-saturated apolar solutions and low MPc concentrations, alkoxyl free radicals (*OR) were identified as the primary products of (hydro)peroxide breakdown.

Attenuation of photodynamically induced apoptosis by an RGD containing peptide.

Research efforts have focused on the improvement of already established photodynamic therapy (PDT) protocols. The use of adjunct therapies is one such route. The integrin class of receptors mediates extracellular matrix signals through a complex maze of intertwining cellular pathways.

Photodynamic properties of amphiphilic derivatives of aluminum tetrasulfophthalocyanine.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising treatment modality that has recently been accepted in clinics as a curative or palliative therapy for cancer and other nonmalignant conditions. Phthalocyanines (Pc) are attractive photosensitizers for PDT because of their enhanced photophysical and photochemical properties. The overall charge and solubility of Pc play a major role in their potential usefulness for PDT.