Phthalocyanine photophysics and photosensitizer efficiency on human embryonic lung fibroblasts

Abstract

This study correlates the photophysical properties of aluminum phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate (AlPcTs), zinc phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate (ZnPcTs), and phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate (PcTs) with their ability to kill human embryonic lung (HEL) cells. Photofrin, a proven anti-cancer drug, was used for comparison. The photophysical properties include fluorescence emission spectra, fluorescence quantum yields, singlet state and radiative lifetimes, quantum yield for triplet formation, and fluorescence rate constants. Results indicate that photodynamic efficacy correlates inversely with fluorescence quantum yield and fluorescence lifetime and directly with quantum yield for triplet formation.