Cancer-Targeted Azo Dye for Two-Photon Photodynamic Therapy in Human Colon Tissue

Abstract

Inappropriate cancer management can be prevented by simultaneous cancer diagnosis, treatment, and real-time assessment of therapeutic processes. Here, we describe the design of a two-photon (TP) photosensitizer (PS), <b>ACC-B</b>, for high temporal and spatioselective near-infrared cancer therapy. <b>ACC-B</b> consisting of a biotin unit significantly enhanced the cancer sensitivity of the PS. Upon TP irradiation, <b>ACC-B</b> generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) through the type I photodynamic therapy (PDT) process and triggered highly selective cancer ablation. In addition, fluorescence microscopy images revealed that <b>ACC-B</b>-loaded live human colon tissues showed a marked difference in <b>ACC-B</b> uptake between normal and cancer tissues, and this property was used for real-time imaging. Upon 770 nm TP treatment, <b>ACC-B</b> generated ROS efficiently in live colon cancer tissues with high spatial selectivity. During PDT, <b>ACC-B</b> can provide in situ spatioselective visualization of cellular behavior and molecular information for therapeutic assessment in specific regions.