Photoactivated cell-killing involving a low molecular weight, donor–acceptor diphenylacetylene

Abstract

Photoactivation of photosensitisers can be utilised to elicit the production of ROS, for potential therapeutic applications, including the destruction of diseased tissues and tumours. A novel class of photosensitiser, exemplified by <b>DC324</b>, has been designed possessing a modular, low molecular weight and 'drug-like' structure which is bioavailable and can be photoactivated by UV-A/405 nm or corresponding two-photon absorption of near-IR (800 nm) light, resulting in powerful cytotoxic activity, ostensibly through the production of ROS in a cellular environment. A variety of <i>in vitro</i> cellular assays confirmed ROS formation and <i>in vivo</i> cytotoxic activity was exemplified <i>via</i> irradiation and subsequent targeted destruction of specific areas of a zebrafish embryo.