Synthesis and in vitro studies of biodegradable modified chitosan nanoparticles for photodynamic treatment of cancer.

The main aim of this research is to study the in vitro photocytotoxicity and cellular uptake of biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles loaded with photosensitizer mTHPP. As the first part of a continued research on conversion of N-sulfonato-N,O-carboxymethylchitosan (NOCCS) to useful biopolymer-based materials, large numbers of carboxylic functional groups were introduced onto NOCCS by grafting with polymethacrylic acid (PMAA). The free radical graft copolymerization was carried out at 70°C, bis-acrylamide as a cross-linking agent and persulfate as an initiator. These results show that the nanoparticles have high loading capacity and stability. These nanoparticles are suitable as carriers for photodynamic therapy in vivo.