PHOTODYNAMIC-ACTIVE DRUGS IN THE TREATMENT OF VARIOUS DISEASES

Abstract

A multifactorial effect on damaged tissues of the body in the process of a photosensitive reaction in photodynamic therapy is carried out. It includes the killing of pathologically altered cells with intensive production of reactive oxygen species, the effect on blood vessels and the activation of the body's immune system. The effectiveness of this method depends on the properties of photosensitizing drugs, namely, their selectivity, the ability to photoproduce reactive particles and ability to absorb in the near infrared spectrum. This review discusses three generations of photosensitizers. The first is the photodynamically active compound hematoporphyrin «Photofrin I». Taking into account the shortcomings of the first generation of drugs, such as: the complexity of the chemical composition, moderate photodynamic activity, a high degree of photosensitization of normal skin areas, insufficient selectivity and low optical absorption, second-generation photosensitizers were developed. These include Levulan, Foscan, Talaporfin and others. However, clinical trials of some of them have not been completed due to a number of reasons, to a greater extent, the low effectiveness of drugs or the financial costs of research. The third generation preparations were obtained using the methods of bioconjugation and encapsulation of photosensitizers of previous generations. To date, special attention is paid to the development of new systems for targeted delivery of photosensitizers, such as nanoparticles and monoclonal antibodies, which can significantly reduce the time required for targeted accumulation in tumor tissue.