Boron‐Fluorine Photosensitizers for Photodynamic Therapy

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been recognized as a promising treatment for cancers and tumors, in which photosensitizer is one of the most important issues. As a class of excellent fluorescent dyes, boron‐fluorine derivatives (typically 4,4‐difluoro‐4‐bora‐3a,4a‐diaza‐s‐indacene, BODIPY) have preferable ability of generating singlet oxygen and have been under extensive study for PDT sensitizers. In this review, we summarize the recent progress of design and applications of boron‐fluorine‐based photosensitizers for PDT.