Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an approach to cancer treatment that has remained underutilized despite its promise as being highly selective towards cancerous tissue. PDT utilizes a non-toxic prodrug, or photosensitizer (PS), oxygen, and a light source to cause localized cell death. Currently, Photofrin, a porphyrin-based PS, is the only FDA-approved PS for cancer therapy. We feel that PDT could become a more important alternative or adjuvant therapy with improved PSs. Metal-based PSs are of particular interest due to the tunability of their photophysics and other useful properties. Ruthenium and osmium centered PSs serve as examples, with our own TLD1433 recently entering Phase II clinical trials for the treatment of bladder cancer. This presentation will illustrate how the rational molecular design of PSs leads to incremental improvements in PS activity for PDT.

Synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of a new class of metal photosensitizers

ACS Fall 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.