Current status of phthalocyanines in the photodynamic therapy of cancer

TLDR

Photodynamic therapy is clinically accepted for various cancers, and phthalocyanine photosensitizers—second‑generation agents with superior photophysical properties—have demonstrated phototoxicity across multiple tumor models, prompting extensive mechanistic studies. This review focuses on preclinical anti‑cancer studies of the silicon phthalocyanine Pc 4, emphasizing its ability to induce apoptosis. The authors also summarize recent clinical outcomes from phthalocyanine‑based photodynamic therapy.

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy is a binary treatment now accepted in clinic for various malignancies in several countries around the world. Phthalocyanine molecules are second-generation photosensitizers with enhanced photophysical and photochemical properties over those of porphyrins. They have been shown to be phototoxic against a number of cell types and tumor models. A great deal of research has been devoted to the elucidation of their mechanism of action and mode of cell death. The present paper reviews phthalocyanine pre-clinical anti-cancer research with emphasis on phthalocyanine induced apoptosis using a silicon phthalocyanine, Pc 4. A brief summary of the latest clinical results using phthalocyanines is presented.