The photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancer relies upon the cytotoxicity of singlet-oxygen, produced upon light-induced activation of a photosensitizer. Phthalocyanines (Pcs) constitute an important class of photosensitizing agents due to their ability to absorb light strongly in the near-infrared region (650-750 nm), consequently stimulating singlet oxygen production in an aerobic microenvironment. Despite their potent biological activity, Pcs suffer from poor tissue localization and short half-lives due to their degradation by singlet oxygen.  In an effort to overcome these limitations, we report here a robust perfluoro-derived Pc that replaces its C-H for C-F bonds, thus being resistant towards singlet oxygen-based degradation. Importantly, the Pc contains a carboxylic group that allowed its coupling to a cancer-targeting peptide (CTP) for selective tumor cell penetration. This presentation will highlight the synthesis and characterization of a per-fluoro Pc peptide conjugate, for potentatial applications in can-cer-targeted photodynamic therapy

Fluorinated phthalocyanine conjugates for cancer-targeted photodynamic therapy

246th National Meeting (2013)

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