New anticancer agents for photodynamic therapy

Lead compound 2 exhibits IC50 values in the very low nM range and impressive PI values (PI > 33783) after red light irradiation. Very importantly, this new PS agent displayed a good phototoxicity profile with highly penetrating NIR light (740 nm) and retained a good photoactivity under hypoxia (PI >3290)

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a technique commonly used to treat different types of cancers, especially skin cancers, and other diseases associated to the skin. This technique is based on the administration of a photosensitizer agent (PS) that, in the presence of oxygen and when exposed to light of the appropriate wavelength, is excited and produces highly cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) that destroy cancer cells. Currently, the most widely used PSs are based on organic fluorophores, which exhibit several drawbacks, including a lack of activity under hypoxic conditions and auto-degradation due to photobleaching.

With the aim of developing an optimal PS for combating cancer more efficiently with PDT, researchers from the University of Barcelona are currently working on the development of novel PSs with operability within the phototherapeutic window (650-800nm) and under hypoxic conditions with the aim of treating deep-seated hypoxic tumors. These PS can be efficiently photoactivated with far-red and NIR light, which penetrates deeper into human tissues than blue or green light. In addition, the PSs are highly photostable, cell permeable and have a clear subcellular target (mitochondria), which makes them promising candidates for clinical use. Moreover, the PSs can be functionalized with other accessory molecules such as targeting ligands.
Results of photocytotoxicity studies under normoxia on 2D cell monolayers (CT-26) using PpIX as a positive control

Two lead compounds have been tested in in vitro assays. Both compounds showed no activity in the dark (not toxic) but became highly phototoxic when irradiated at different wavelengths within the phototherapeutic window, even with highly penetrating far-red and NIR light. Also, both compounds have shown good photoactivity under hypoxia (PI >3290).
Moreover, one of the lead compounds has been tested in several human cancer (colon, lung, ovarian), with excellent phototoxicity activities after irradiation with a 740 nm laser and they retain a good photoactivity under low oxygen conditions (2% O2) which would facilitate the treatment of deep-seated hypoxic tumors.

Benefits:

  • High photostability.
  • Non toxic in the dark.
  • Highly cytotoxic upon irradiation at wavelengths within the phototherapeutic window (650-800nm).
  • Good nanomolar activity and outstanding PI values.
  • High phototoxicity under hypoxia conditions.
  • Easier to synthesize than conventional PS.
  • Functionalization possibilities.

The represented institution is looking for a collaboration that leads to commercial exploitation of the presented invention.

Institution: Universitat de Barcelona

TRL: 3-4

Protection status: Patent Application

Contact: Miguel Estruch / miguel@viromii.com