Photocaged DNA-Binding Photosensitizer Enables Photocontrol of Nuclear Entry for Dual-Targeted Photodynamic Therapy

J Med Chem. 2022 Dec 22;65(24):16679-16694. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01504. Epub 2022 Dec 8.

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a clinically approved cancer treatment that requires a photosensitizer (PS), light, and molecular oxygen─a combination which produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can induce cancer cell death. To enhance the efficacy of PDT, dual-targeted strategies have been explored where two photosensitizers are administered and localize to different subcellular organelles. To date, a single small-molecule conjugate for dual-targeted PDT with light-controlled nuclear localization has not been achieved. We designed a probe composed of a DNA-binding PS (Br-DAPI) and a photosensitizing photocage (WinterGreen). Illumination with 480 nm light removes WinterGreen from the conjugate and produces singlet oxygen mainly in the cytosol, while Br-DAPI localizes to nuclei, binds DNA, and produces ROS using one- or two-photon illumination. We observe synergistic photocytotoxicity in MCF7 breast cancer cells, and a reduction in size of three-dimensional (3D) tumor spheroids, demonstrating that nuclear/cytosolic photosensitization using a single agent can enhance PDT efficacy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • DNA
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Photochemotherapy* / methods
  • Photosensitizing Agents / chemistry
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism

Substances

  • Photosensitizing Agents
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • DNA