Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an effective treatment method developed for the treatment of cancer, which is one of the most important diseases today, and expected to be an alternative to frequently applied methods such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The main components of PDT are photosensitizer (PS), light and oxygen. These are not toxic in their individual state, but together they initiate a photochemical reaction that results in the production of a highly reactive product we call singlet oxygen. One of the methods being investigated for a more specific treatment is to develop activatable PDT photosensitizer (PS) materials. The Bodipy molecule has recently attracted attention due to its strong properties as a fluorescent molecule. It is highly preferred due to its rich photophysical properties. Due to such reasons, studies on these molecules are important.<br/>In our research, the designed molecule has a hydrazone unit and these groups tend to detach at low pH values due to their dynamic covalent structure. Based on this logic, the design was carried out upon the detachment of these units from the Bodipy unit and the activation of the photosensitizer at low pH of the tumors. The designed molecule was synthesized according to organic chemistry synthesis protocols. After purifications and characterizations spectroscopic measurements were accomplished.<br/>In conclusion, the expected detachment of the hydrazone unit from the photosensitizer was shown to be successful. The amount of hydrazone group rupture gradually increases from physiological pH to acidic pH environments. In addition, singlet oxygen measurements was carried out and it was observed that there was more singlet oxygen production in the hydrazone-free molecule formed.

Design and application of a photosensitizer activatable in cancerous tissues for photodynamic therapy

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