Porphyrin-based polysilsesquioxane nanoparticles to improve photodynamic therapy for cancer treatment

Juan L. Vivero-Escoto; Daniel DeCillis; Laura Fritts; Daniel L. Vega

doi:10.1117/12.2039145

14 March 2014 Porphyrin-based polysilsesquioxane nanoparticles to improve photodynamic therapy for cancer treatment

Juan L. Vivero-Escoto, Daniel DeCillis, Laura Fritts, Daniel L. Vega

Proceedings Volume 8931, Optical Methods for Tumor Treatment and Detection: Mechanisms and Techniques in Photodynamic Therapy XXIII; 89310Z (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2039145
Event: SPIE BiOS, 2014, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as an alternative approach to chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer treatment. The photosensitizer (PS) is perhaps the most critical component of PDT, and continues to be an area of intense scientific research. Traditionally, PS molecules (e.g. porphyrins) have dominated the field. Nevertheless, these PS agents have several disadvantages, with low water solubility, poor light absorption and reduced selectivity for targeted tissues being some of the main drawbacks. Polysilsesquioxane (PSilQ) nanoparticles are crosslinked homopolymers formed by the condensation of functionalized trialkoxysilanes or bis(trialkoxysilanes). We believe that PSilQ particles provide an interesting platform for developing PS nanocarriers. Several advantages can be foreseen by using this platform such as carrying a large payload of PS molecules; their surface and composition can be tailored to develop multifunctional systems (e.g. target-specific); and due to their small size, nanoparticles can penetrate deep into tissues and be readily internalized by cells. In this work, PSilQ nanoparticles with a high payload of photosensitizers were synthesized, characterized, and applied in vitro. The network of this nanomaterial is formed by protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) molecules chemically connected via a redox-responsive linker. Under reducing environment such as the one found in cancer cells the nanoparticles can be degraded to efficiently release single photosensitizers in the cytoplasm. The phototoxicity of this porphyrin-based PSilQ nanomaterial was successfully demonstrated in vitro using human cervical (HeLa) cancer cells. We envision that this platform can be further functionalized with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and targeting ligands to improve its biocompatibility and target specificity.

Citation Download Citation

Juan L. Vivero-Escoto, Daniel DeCillis, Laura Fritts, and Daniel L. Vega "Porphyrin-based polysilsesquioxane nanoparticles to improve photodynamic therapy for cancer treatment", Proc. SPIE 8931, Optical Methods for Tumor Treatment and Detection: Mechanisms and Techniques in Photodynamic Therapy XXIII, 89310Z (14 March 2014); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2039145

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available