Novel bacteriochlorophyll-based photosensitizers and their photodynamic activity

Abstract

Bacteriochlorin derivatives were synthesized by reacting bacteriopheophorbide methyl ether with diaminoalkanes bearing alkyl groups of different chain length. Biotests demonstrated their high in vitro phototoxicity at nanomolar concentrations against different types of epithelial cells, as well as high dose-dependent in vivo antitumor efficacy in tumor laden mice. At the doses of 2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg, the tested photosensitizers (PS) provided 100% tumor growth inhibition and 100% response rate over 120 day follow-up period after PDT due to selective accumulation in the tumor tissue and rapid clearance from the body.