Photodynamic Therapy and the Development of Metal-Based Photosensitisers

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment modality that has been used in the successful treatment of a number of diseases and disorders, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), psoriasis, and certain cancers. PDT uses a combination of a selectively localised light-sensitive drug (known as a photosensitiser) and light of an appropriate wavelength. The light-activated form of the drug reacts with molecular oxygen to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and radicals; in a biological environment these toxic species can interact with cellular constituents causing biochemical disruption to the cell. If the homeostasis of the cell is altered significantly then the cell enters the process of cell death. The first photosensitiser to gain regulatory approval for clinical PDT was Photofrin. Unfortunately, Photofrin has a number of associated disadvantages, particularly pro-longed patient photosensitivity. To try and overcome these disadvantages second and third generation photosensitisers have been developed and investigated. This Review highlights the key photosensitisers investigated, with particular attention paid to the metallated and non-metallated cyclic tetrapyrrolic derivatives that have been studied in vitro and in vivo; those which have entered clinical trials; and those that are currently in use in the clinic for PDT.

1. PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY: BACKGROUND

The use of light in the treatment of disease has been known for many centuries and can be traced back over 4000 years to the ancient Egyptians [1]. The Egyptian people used a combination of the orally ingested Amni Majus plant and sunlight to successfully manage vitiligo: a skin disorder of unknown cause. The active ingredient of this plant (psoralen, Figure 1) is now successfully employed in the worldwide treatment of psoriasis [1–4].

Figure 1.

Structure of psoralen.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment involving light and a chemical substance (a photosensitiser), used in conjunction with molecular oxygen to elicit cell death. More explicitly, photodynamic therapy is a selective treatment modality for the local destruction of diseased cells and tissue. The selectivity is based on the ability of the photosensitiser to preferentially accumulate in the diseased tissue and efficiently generate singlet oxygen or other highly reactive species such as radicals, which induce target cell death.

The principle of photodynamic therapy is based on a multi-stage process (Figure 2). The first of these stages (Figure 2(a)) sees the administration of a photosensitiser with negligible dark toxicity, either systemically or topically, in the absence of light. When the optimum ratio of photosensitiser in diseased versus healthy tissue is achieved, the photosensitiser is (Figure 2(c)) activated by exposure to a carefully regulated dose of light which is shone directly onto the diseased tissue for a specified length of time. The light dose is regulated in order to allow a sufficient amount of energy to be delivered to activate the photosensitiser, but at the same time the dose should be small enough to minimise damage inflicted on neighbouring healthy tissue. It is the activated form of the photosensitiser which evokes a toxic response in the tissue, resulting in cell death. The success of photodynamic therapy lies in the prolonged accumulation of photosensitiser in diseased tissue, relative to the more rapid clearance from normal tissue cells.

Figure 2.

Photosensitiser administration.

Photodynamic therapy is commonly practiced in the treatment of a number of cancers, including those present in the head and neck, the lungs, bladder, and particular skin cancers [5–16]. It has also been successfully used in the treatment of non-cancerous conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), psoriasis, atherosclerosis, and has shown some efficacy in anti-viral treatments including herpes [2, 3, 5–7, 9, 17–20].

Photodynamic therapy carries advantages for both the patient and the physician: the need for delicate surgery and lengthy recuperation periods is minimised, along with minimal formation of scar tissue and disfigurement. However, photodynamic therapy is not without its drawbacks: a major limitation is the associated general photosensitisation of skin tissue.

2. HISTORY OF PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY

Reports of contemporary photodynamic therapy came first in the investigations led by Finsen in the late nineteenth century [8]. Finsen successfully demonstrated phototherapy by employing heat-filtered light from a carbon-arc lamp (the “Finsen lamp”) in the treatment of a tubercular condition of the skin known as lupus vulgaris, for which he won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1903 [8]. But it was not until the early twentieth century that reports of photodynamic therapy for the treatment of cancer patients (with solid tumours) were made by von Tappeiner's group in Munich [2, 4, 6, 9]. In 1913 another German scientist, Meyer-Betz, described the major stumbling block of photodynamic therapy. After injecting himself with haematoporphyrin (Hp, a photosensitiser), he swiftly experienced a general skin sensitivity upon exposure to sunlight—a problem still persistent with many of todays' photosensitisers [2, 3, 7, 18].

Further studies, investigating the accumulation of haematoporphyrin and the purified haematoporphyrin derivative (HpD) in tumours, culminated in the late 1980s with the photosensitiser Photofrin (Figure 3). A photosensitiser which, after further purification, was first given approval in 1993 by the Canadian health agency for use against bladder cancer and later in Japan, USA and parts of Europe for use against certain cancers of the oesophagus and non-small cell lung cancer [3–9, 17, 18, 21, 22].

Figure 3.

Structure of Photofrin, n = 1–9.

Photofrin was far from ideal and carried with it the disadvantages of prolonged patient photosensitivity and a weak long-wavelength absorption (630 nm) [6, 7, 21]. This led to the development of improved (second generation) photosensitisers, including Verteporfin (a benzoporphyrin derivative, also known as Visudyne) and more recently, third generation photosensitisers based around targeting strategies, such as antibody-directed photosensitisers [4, 5, 7, 18, 19, 23–25].

3. CYCLIC TETRAPYRROLIC CHROMOPHORES AND PHOTOSENSITISERS

Cyclic tetrapyrrolic molecules are good examples of fluorophores (see Glossary) and photosensitisers. Photosensitisers are molecules, which, when excited by light energy, can utilise the energy to induce photochemical reactions to produce lethal toxic agents. In a cellular environment, these agents (reactive oxygen species (ROS) and radicals) ultimately result in cell death and tissue destruction (Figure 4) [5–9]. Photosensitisers are absorbed into cells all over the body and alone are harmless, that is, in the absence of light, and usually oxygen they have no effect on healthy or abnormal tissue. Ideally, they should be retained by diseased tissue, particularly tumours, for longer periods of time in comparison to healthy tissue; thus it is important to carefully time light exposure and ensure that activation only occurs when the ratio of photosensitiser is greater in diseased tissue than in healthy tissue, thereby minimising unwanted damage to surrounding non-cancerous cells [3, 19].

Figure 4.

Photosensitiser initiated cell death.

Photosensitisers also have alternative applications. They have been employed in the sterilisation of blood plasma and water in order to remove blood-borne viruses and microbes and have been considered for agricultural uses, including herbicides and insecticides [5, 9, 26–28].

4. PHOTOCHEMISTRY: PHOTOCHEMICAL PROCESSES

Only when a photosensitiser is in its excited state (³Psen*) can it interact with molecular oxygen (³O₂) and produce radicals and activated oxygen species (ROS), crucial to the Type II mechanism which is thought to predominate in PDT (see below). These species include singlet oxygen (¹O₂), hydroxyl radicals (^•OH), and superoxide (O₂ ⁻) ions and can interact with cellular components including unsaturated lipids; amino acid residues; and nucleic acids. If sufficient oxidative damage ensues, this will result in target-cell death (only within the immediate area of light illumination).

5. PHOTOCHEMICAL MECHANISMS

When a chromophore, such as a cyclic tetrapyrrolic molecule, absorbs a photon of electromagnetic radiation in the form of light energy, an electron is promoted into a higher-energy molecular orbital, elevating the chromophore from the ground state (S₀) into a short-lived, electronically excited state (S_n) composed of a number of vibrational sub-levels (S_n′). The excited chromophore can lose energy by rapidly decaying through these sub-levels via internal conversion (IC) to populate the first excited singlet state (S₁), before quickly relaxing back to the ground state (Figure 5).

Figure 5.

Modified Jablonski energy diagram.

The decay from the excited singlet state (S₁) to the ground state (S₀) is via fluorescence (S₁ → S₀). Singlet state lifetimes of excited fluorophores are very short (τ _fl. = 10⁻⁹–10⁻⁶ seconds) since transitions between the same spin states (S → S or T → T) conserve the spin multiplicity of the electron and, according to the Spin Selection Rules, are therefore considered “allowed” transitions [3, 6, 8]. Alternatively, an excited singlet state electron (S₁) can undergo spin inversion and populate the lower-energy first excited triplet state (T₁) via intersystem crossing (ISC); a spin-forbidden process, since the spin of the electron is no longer conserved [29–34]. The excited electron can then undergo a second spin-forbidden inversion and depopulate the excited triplet state (T₁) by decaying back to the ground state (S₀) via phosphorescence (T₁ → S₀) [29–34]. Owing to the spin-forbidden triplet to singlet transition, the lifetime of phosphorescence (τ _P = 10⁻³ − 1 second) is considerably longer than that of fluorescence.

6. PHOTOSENSITISERS AND PHOTOCHEMISTRY

Tetrapyrrolic photosensitisers in the excited singlet state (¹Psen*, S_>0) are relatively efficient at undergoing intersystem crossing and can consequently have a high triplet-state quantum yield, Box 2 (Φ_T 0.62 (tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP), methanol)), 0.83 (etiopurpurin, benzene), 0.71 (tetrasulphonated TPP, D₂O), and 0.47 (tetrasulphonated zinc phthalocyanine, methanol)) [8, 35, 36]. The longer lifetime of this species is sufficient to allow the excited triplet state photosensitiser to interact with surrounding bio-molecules, including cell membrane constituents [5, 17].

Box 2.

7. PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS

Excited triplet-state photosensitisers can react in two ways defined as Type-I and Type-II processes. Type-I processes can involve the excited singlet or triplet photosensitiser (¹Psen*, S₁; ³Psen*, T₁), however due to the short lifetime of the excited singlet state, the photosensitiser can only react if it is intimately associated with a substrate, in both cases the interaction is with readily oxidisable or reducable substrates. Type-II processes involve the direct interaction of the excited triplet photosensitiser (³Psen*, T₁) with molecular oxygen (³O₂, ³Σ_g) [5–8, 17, 18, 37].

Type-I processes can be divided into two further mechanisms; Type I(i) and Type I(ii). The first of these mechanisms (i) involves the transfer of an electron (oxidation) from a substrate molecule to the excited state photosensitiser (Psen*), generating a photosensitiser radical anion (Psen^•−) and a substrate radical cation (Subs^•+). The majority of the radicals produced from Type-I(i) reactions react instantaneously with oxygen, generating a complex mixture of oxygen intermediates. For example, the photosensitiser radical anion can react instantaneously with molecular oxygen (³O₂) to generate a superoxide radical anion (O₂ ^•−), which can go on to produce the highly reactive hydroxyl radical (OH^•, Figure 6), initiating a cascade of cytotoxic free radicals; this process is common in the oxidative damage of fatty acids and other lipids [17, 18]. Some of the more common Type-I(i) reactions are shown in Figure 6.

Figure 6.

Type-I process (i).

The second Type-I process (ii) involves the transfer of a hydrogen atom (reduction) to the excited state photosensitiser (Psen*). This generates free radicals capable of rapidly reacting with molecular oxygen and creating a complex mixture of reactive oxygen intermediates, including reactive peroxides (Figure 7). Once again, this can trigger a torrent of cytotoxic events, culminating in cell damage and death.

Figure 7.

Type-I process (ii).

On the other hand, Type-II processes involve the direct interaction of the excited triplet state photosensitiser (³Psen*) with ground state molecular oxygen (³O₂, ³Σ_g, Figure 8); a spin allowed transition—the excited state photosensitiser and ground state molecular oxygen are of the same spin state (T, Figure 5).

Figure 8.

Type-II process.

When the excited photosensitiser collides with a molecule of molecular oxygen, a process of triplet-triplet annihilation takes place (³Psen* → ¹Psen and ³O₂ → ¹O₂). This inverts the spin of one of molecular oxygens (³O₂) outermost antibonding electrons, generating two forms of singlet oxygen (¹Δ_g and ¹Σ_g, Figure 9), while simultaneously depopulating the photosensitiser's excited triplet state (T₁ → S₀, Figure 5). The higher-energy singlet oxygen state (¹Σ_g, 157kJ mol⁻¹ > ³Σ_g) is very short-lived (¹Σ_g ≤ 0.33 milliseconds (methanol), undetectable in H₂O/D₂O) and rapidly relaxes to the lower-energy excited state (¹Δ_g, 94kJ mol⁻¹ > ³Σ_g) [36]. It is, therefore, this lower-energy form of singlet oxygen (¹Δ_g) which is implicated in cell injury and cell death [38].

Figure 9.

Molecular orbital diagram of oxygen (³Σ_g, ¹Δ_g, and ¹Σ_g).

The highly-reactive oxygen species (¹O₂) produced via the Type-II process act near to their site of generation and within a radius of action of approximately 20 nm, with a typical lifetime of approximately 40 nanoseconds in biological systems [2, 7, 17]. However, it has recently been suggested that (over a 6 microsecond period) singlet oxygen can diffuse up to approximately 300 nm in vivo [39–41]. Singlet oxygen can theoretically only interact with proximal molecules and structures within this radius [17]. ROS are known to initiate a large number of reactions with biomolecules, including amino acid residues in proteins, such as tryptophan; unsaturated lipids like cholesterol and nucleic acid bases, particularly guanosine and guanine derivatives, Box 3, with the latter base more susceptible to ROS [2, 5, 8, 17, 36, 42–45]. These interactions cause damage and potential destruction to cellular membranes and enzyme deactivation, culminating in cell death [8].

Box 3.

It is highly probable that in the presence of molecular oxygen, and as a direct result of the photoirradiation of the photosensitiser molecule, both Type-I and II pathways play a pivotal role in disrupting cellular mechanisms and cellular structure. Nevertheless, there is considerable evidence to suggest that the Type-II photo-oxygenation process predominates in the induction of cell damage, a consequence of the interaction between the irradiated photosensitiser and molecular oxygen [2, 5, 8, 18, 43, 46]. It has been suggested, however, that cells in vivo are partially protected against the effects of photodynamic therapy by the presence of singlet oxygen scavengers (such as histidine) and that certain skin cells are somewhat resistant to photodynamic therapy in the absence of molecular oxygen; further supporting the proposal that the Type-II process is at the heart of photoinitiated cell death [17, 43, 47, 48].

The efficiency of Type-II processes is dependent upon the triplet state lifetime τ _T (see Glossary under luminescence life time) and the triplet quantum yield (Φ_T) of the photosensitiser. Both of these parameters have been implicated in the effectiveness of a photosensitiser in phototherapeutic medicine; further supporting the distinction between Type-I and Type-II mechanisms. However, it is worthy to note that the success of a photosensitiser is not exclusively dependent upon a Type-II process taking place. There are a number of photosensitisers whose excited triplet lifetimes are too short to permit a Type-II process to occur. For example, the copper metallated octaethylbenzochlorin photosensitiser (Figure 10) has a triplet state lifetime of less than 20 nanoseconds and is still deemed to be an efficient photodynamic agent [13, 43].

Figure 10.

A copper metallated photosensitiser.

8. PHOTOSENSITISERS—IDEAL PHOTOSENSITISERS

Although a number of different photosensitising compounds, such as methylene blue (see Glossary), rose bengal, and acridine (Figure 11), are known to be efficient singlet oxygen generators (and therefore potential photodynamic therapy agents), a large number of photosensitisers are cyclic tetrapyrroles or structural derivatives of this chromophore; in particular porphyrin, chlorin, bacteriochlorin, expanded porphyrin, and phthalocyanine (PCs) derivatives (Figure 12). This is possibly because cyclic tetrapyrrolic derivatives have an inherent similarity to the naturally occurring porphyrins present in living matter—consequently they have little or no toxicity in the absence of light [2, 5, 17, 18, 36, 44, 49].

Figure 11.

Examples of non-porphyrinic photosensitisers.

Figure 12.

Porphine, chlorine, bacteriochlorin, expanded porphyrin, and phthalocyanine structures.

Porphyrins are a group of naturally occurring and intensely coloured compounds, whose name is drawn from the Greek word porphura, the Greek word for purple [50–52]. These molecules are known to be involved in a number of biologically important roles, including oxygen transport and photosynthesis, and have applications in a number of fields, ranging from fluorescence imaging to medicine [2, 5, 17, 42]. Porphyrins are classified as tetrapyrrolic molecules, with the heart of the skeleton a heterocyclic macrocycle, known as a porphine. The fundamental porphine frame consists of four pyrrolic sub-units linked on opposing sides (α-positions, numbered 1, 4, 6, 9, 11, 14, 16, and 19, Figure 13) through four methine (CH) bridges (5, 10, 15, and 20), known as the meso-carbon atoms/positions (Figure 13). The resulting conjugated planar macrocycle may be substituted at the meso- and/or β-positions (2, 3, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, and 18): if the meso- and β-hydrogens are substituted with non-hydrogen atoms or groups, the resulting compounds are known as porphyrins.

Figure 13.

Porphine macrocycle.

The inner two protons of a free-base porphyrin can be removed by strong bases such as alkoxides, forming a dianionic molecule; conversely, the inner two pyrrolenine nitrogens can be protonated with acids such as trifluoroacetic acid affording a dicationic intermediate (Figure 14). The tetradentate anionic species can readily form complexes with most metals.

Figure 14.

Porphyrin dianionic and dicationic species.

9. PORPHYRIN ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY

On account of their highly conjugated skeleton, porphyrins have a characteristic ultra-violet visible (UV-VIS) spectrum (Figure 15). The spectrum typically consists of an intense, narrow absorption band (ε > 200000 l mol⁻¹cm⁻¹) at around 400 nm, known as the Soret or B band, followed by four longer wavelength (450–700 nm), weaker absorptions (ε > 20000 l mol⁻¹cm⁻¹ (free-base porphyrins)) referred to as the Q bands [6, 17, 50, 53, 54].

Figure 15.

Typical porphyrin absorption spectrum [55, (modified)].

The Soret band arises from a strong electronic transition from the (porphyrin) ground state to the second excited singlet state (S₀ → S₂, Figure 16); whereas the Q band is a result of a weak transition to the first excited singlet state (S₀ → S₁). The dissipation of energy via internal conversion (IC) is so rapid that fluorescence is only observed from depopulation of the first excited singlet state to the lower-energy ground state (S₁ → S₀).

Figure 16.

Modified Jablonski energy diagram.

10. SECOND-GENERATION PHOTOSENSITISERS

10.1. Ideal photosensitiser properties

The key characteristic of any photodynamic sensitiser is its ability to preferentially accumulate in diseased tissue and, via the generation of cytotoxic species, induce a desired biological effect. In particular, a good photodynamic sensitiser should adhere to the following criteria:

1. have strong absorption with a high extinction coefficient in the red/near infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum (600–850 nm)—allows deeper tissue penetration [5–7, 17, 36, 43],

2. be effective generators of singlet oxygen and other ROS,

3. have suitable photophysical characteristics: a high-quantum yield of triplet formation (Φ_T ≥ 0.5); a high singlet oxygen quantum yield (Φ_Δ ≥ 0.5); a relatively long triplet state lifetime (τ _T, microsecond range); and a high triplet-state energy (≥ 94 KJ mol⁻¹) [3, 8, 18, 36, 56]. To date the parameters Φ_T = 0.83 and Φ_Δ = 0.65 (haematoporphyrin); Φ_T = 0.83 and Φ_Δ = 0.72 (etiopurpurin); and Φ_T = 0.96 and Φ_Δ = 0.82 (tin etiopurpurin) have been achieved [2, 36],

4. have minimum dark toxicity and negligible cytotoxicity in the absence of light,

5. exhibit greater retention in diseased/target tissue over healthy tissue,

6. present rapid clearance from the body,

7. be single, well-characterised compounds, with a known and constant composition,

8. have a short and high yielding synthetic route (with easy translation into multi-gram scales/reactions),

9. have a simple and stable drug formulation,

10. be soluble in biological media, allowing direct intravenous administration and transport to the intended target. Failing this, a hydrophilic delivery system should be sought enabling efficient and effective transportation of the photosensitiser to the target site via the bloodstream.

While the major disadvantages associated with the first generation photosensitisers HpD and Photofrin (skin sensitivity and weak absorption at 630 nm) have not prevented the treatment of some cancers and other diseases, they have markedly reduced the successful application of these photosensitisers to a wider field of disease. The development of second generation photosensitisers, designed to minimise the drawbacks of the first generation photosensitisers, was key to the development of photodynamic therapy. A number of new photosensitisers were therefore developed to overcome these short comings.

5-Aminolaevulinic acid —

The 5-Aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) is a prodrug used in the clinic to treat and image a number of superficial cancers and tumours (see Tables 2 and 3) [5–9, 11, 17, 18]. ALA on its own is not a photosensitiser, but a key precursor in the biosynthesis of the naturally occurring porphyrin, haem (Scheme 1).

Haem is synthesised in every energy-producing cell in the body and is a key structural component of haemoglobin, myoglobin, and other haemproteins. The immediate precursor to haem is protoporphyrin IX (PPIX), an effective photosensitiser. Haem itself is not a photosensitiser, due to the coordination of a paramagnetic ion (iron; see Glossary; see also diamagnetic species) in the centre of the macrocycle, causing significant reduction in excited state lifetimes [5–9, 11].

The haem molecule is synthesised from glycine and succinyl coenzyme A (succinyl CoA). The rate-limiting step in the biosynthesis pathway is controlled by a tight (negative) feedback mechanism in which the concentration of haem regulates the production of ALA. However, this controlled feedback can be by-passed by artificially adding excess exogenous ALA to cells. The cells respond by producing PPIX (photosensitiser) at a faster rate than the ferrochelatase enzyme can convert it to haem [5–9, 11, 17, 18].

ALA, marketed as Levulan (DUSA Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, Toronto, Canada), has shown promise in photodynamic therapy (tumours) via both intravenous and oral administration, as well as through topical administration in the treatment of malignant and non-malignant dermatological conditions, including psoriasis, Bowen's disease, and Hirsutism (Phase II/III clinical trials, see Glossary) [5–9, 11, 18].

ALA shows a more rapid accumulation in comparison to other intravenously administered sensitisers [5–9, 11]. Typical peak tumour accumulation levels post-administration for PPIX are usually achieved within several hours; compare this with other (intravenously administered) photosensitisers which may take up to 96 hours to reach peak levels and one of the main advantages of ALA can be clearly seen. ALA is also excreted more rapidly from the body (∼24 hours) than other photosensitisers, minimising patient photosensitivity [5–8, 11].

In an attempt to overcome the poor bioavailability when ALA is applied topically, esterified ALA derivatives with improved pharmacological properties have been examined [5–8, 11]. A methyl ALA ester (Metvix) is now being marketed by Photocure ASA (Oslo, Norway) as a potential photosensitiser for basal cell carcinoma and other skin lesions [5, 6, 9, 17]. Benzyl (Benvix) and hexyl ester (Hexvix) derivatives are also registered by Photocure ASA for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers and for the diagnosis of bladder cancer [9].

Table 2.

Summary of a collection of different photosensitiser types and their absorption data.

CLASS OF PHOTOSENSITISER	LONGEST WAVELENGTH ABSORPTION/nm	EXTINCTION COEFFICIENT/ M−1cm−1	DRUGS IN CLINICAL TRIAL (Phase I–III)	DRUGS APPROVED FOR PDT (PRECLINICAL AND CLINICAL)
Porphyrins	620–640	3,500	—	Photofrin
				Levulan
				Metvix
(Expanded Porphyrins)
Porphycenes	610–650	50,000		ATMPn
Texaphyrins	730–770	40,000	Lu-Tex
			Optrin
			Antrin
			Xcytrin
			Benzvix
			Hexvix
Chlorins	650–690	40,000	Foscan	Visudyne
			Puryltin
Bacteriochlorins	730–800	150,000	—	—
Phthalocyanines	680–780	200,000	CGP55847	—
			PC4
			Photosense
Naphthalocyanines	740–780	250,000	—	—

Table 3.

Summary of a range of photosensitisers and their clinical applications.

TRADE NAME	MARKETING COMPANY	PRE-/CLINICAL APPLICATION	COUNTRIES APPROVED IN
Photofrin	QLT Phototherapeutics	Oesophageal, lung, bladder and cervical dysplasia	Canada (1993),
			The Netherlands (1994),
			Japan (1994),
			USA (1995),
			France (1996),
			Germany (1997),
			Finland (1999),
			UK (1999),
			Sweden (2000),
			Italy (2000),
			Ireland (2000),
			Poland (2000)
Levulan	DUSA Pharmaceuticals	Actinic keratosis	USA (1999),
		Actinic keratosis and basal-cell carcinoma	Sweden (2001),
			Europe (2001)
Metvix	Photocure ASA	Actinic keratosis and basal-cellcarcinoma	Sweden (2001),
			Europe (2001)
Visudyne	QLT Phototherapeutics	Wet-AMD	Europe (2001),
			USA (2000),
			Canada (2000),
		Subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation	Europe (2001),
			USA(2001),
			Canada (2001)
ATMPn	GlaxoWellcome and Cytopharm	Psorasis and non-melanoma skin cancer	Germany (1997)
Purlytin	Miravant Medical Technologies	Psorasis and restenosis	USA (1998)
Foscan	BioLitec Pharmaceuticals	Head and neck cancers	Europe (2001)

Scheme 1.

Simplified haem biosynthesis.

Verteporfin —

The second generation photosensitiser, benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid ring A (BPD-MA, Figure 17) has been developed by QLT Phototherapeutics (Vancouver, Canada) under the trade name Visudyne (Verteporfin, for injection) and, in collaboration with Ciba Vision Corporation (Duluth, GA, USA), has undergone Phase III clinical trials (USA) for the photodynamic treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD, see Glossary) and cutaneous non-melanoma skin cancer [3, 5–7, 9, 57–59]. Verteporfin is currently marketed by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (NJ, USA).

The chromophore of BPD-MA has a red-shifted and intensified long-wavelength absorption maxima at approximately 690 nm. Tissue penetration by light at this wavelength is 50% greater than that achieved for Photofrin (λ _max. = 630 nm) [5, 60].

Verteporfin has further advantages over the first generation sensitiser Photofrin. It is rapidly absorbed by the tumour (optimal tumour-normal tissue ratio 30–150 minutes post-intravenous injection) and is rapidly cleared from the body, minimising patient photosensitivity (1-2 days) [5, 61].

Figure 17.

Verteporfin.

Purlytin —

Tin etiopurpurin, a chlorin photosensitiser (Figure 18), is marketed under the trade name Purlytin by Miravant Medical Technologies (Santa Barbara, Calif, USA) [5–9, 62]. Purlytin has also undergone Phase II clinical trials (USA) for cutaneous metastatic breast cancer and Kaposi's sarcoma in patients with AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) [3, 7]. Purlytin has been used successfully to treat the non-malignant conditions psoriasis and restenosis [5].

Chlorins (Figure 12) are distinguished from the parent porphyrins by a reduced exocyclic double bond. The result of the reduced bond is a decrease in the symmetry of the conjugated macrocycle, leading to an increased absorption in the long-wavelength portion of the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum (650–680 nm). More correctly, Purlytin is a purpurin; a degradation product of chlorophyll [8, 9, 12].

Purlytin has a tin atom chelated in its central cavity which causes a red-shift of approximately 20–30 nm (with respect to Photofrin and non-metallated etiopurpurin, λ _max.SnEt₂ = 650 nm) [6, 9, 12]. Purlytin has been reported to localise in skin and produce a photoreaction 7–14 days post-administration [6, 9].

Figure 18.

Purlytin.

Foscan —

Tetra(m-hydroxyphenyl)chlorin (mTHPC, Figure 19) has been developed and entered into clinical trials (USA and Europe) under the trade name Foscan by Scotia Pharmaceutics (Guildford, Surrey, UK) and BioLitec Pharma Limited (Dublin, Ireland) [3, 5–9, 11, 18]. Foscan, also known as Temoporfin, has been evaluated as a phototherapeutic agent against head and neck cancers in these trials [5]. It has also been investigated in clinical trials for malignant and non-malignant diseases, including gastric and pancreatic cancers, hyperplasia, field sterilisation after cancer surgery and for the control of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, in the USA, Europe, and the Far East [5, 9, 11].

Foscan has a singlet oxygen quantum yield comparable to other chlorin photosensitisers but the low drug and light doses (approximately 0.1 mg kg⁻¹ and as low as 5 J cm⁻², resp.) required to achieve photodynamic responses (equivalent to Photofrin, 2–5 mg kg⁻¹, 100–200 J cm⁻²; therefore Foscan is approximately 100 times more photoactive than Photofrin), potentially make Foscan one of the most potent second generation photosensitisers currently under investigation [5, 7, 9].

Unfortunately, Foscan can render patients photosensitive for up to 20 days after initial illumination [6, 63, 64]. One solution to this problem would be to use lower drug doses.

Figure 19.

Foscan.

Lutex —

Lutetium texaphyrin, marketed under the trade name Lutex and Lutrin (Pharmacyclics, Calif, USA), is a “texas-sized” porphyrin [5–9, 18, 65, 66]. Texaphyrins (first synthesised in 1987 by Sessler and his group) are expanded porphyrins that have a penta-aza core (Figure 20). The result of this macrocyclic modification is a strong absorption in the 730–770 nm region of the electromagnetic spectrum [9, 12]. This region is particularly important since tissue transparency is optimal in this range. As a result, Lutex-based PDT can (potentially) be carried out more effectively at greater depths and on larger tumours [5, 6].

Lutex has entered Phase II clinical trials (USA) for evaluation against breast cancer and malignant melanomas [6, 67].

A Lutex derivative, Antrin, has also undergone Phase I clinical trials (USA) for the prevention of restenosis (see Glossary) of vessels after cardiac angioplasty by photoinactivating foam cells that accumulate within arteriolar plaques [6, 68]. A second Lutex derivative, Optrin, is in Phase I trials for AMD [5].

Texaphyrins are being developed further by Pharmacyclics as radiosensitisers (Xcytrin, see Glossary) and chemosensitisers (see Glossary) [5]. Xcytrin, a gadolinium texaphyrin (motexafin gadolinium), has been evaluated in Phase III clinical trials against brain metastases and Phase I clinical trials (USA) for primary brain tumours [5].

Figure 20.

Lutex.

ATMPn —

9-Acetoxy-2,7,12,17-tetrakis-(β-methoxyethyl)-porphycene (Figure 21) has been evaluated by Glaxo Dermatology (GlaxoWellcome, NC, USA) and Cytopharm (Calif, USA) as a photodynamic therapy agent for dermatological applications against psoriasis vulgaris and superficial non-melanoma skin cancer [5, 69–72].

Figure 21.

ATMPn.

Zinc phthalocyanine CGP55847 —

A liposomal formulation of zinc phthalocyanine (CGP55847, Figure 22), developed by QLT Phototherapeutics (Vancouver, Canada) and sponsored by Ciba Geigy (Novartis, Basel, Switzerland), has undergone clinical trials (Phase I/II, Switzerland) against squamous cell carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract [5, 18, 73, 74]. Phthalocyanines (PCs) (Figure 12) are related to tetra-aza porphyrins. Instead of four bridging carbon atoms at the meso-positions, as for the porphyrins, PCs have four nitrogen atoms linking the pyrrolic sub-units together. PCs further differ from porphyrins through the presence of an extended conjugate pathway: a benzene ring is fused to the β-positions of each of the four-pyrrolic sub-units. These benzene rings act to strengthen the absorption of the chromophore at longer wavelengths (with respect to porphyrins). The absorption band of PCs is almost two orders of magnitude stronger than the highest Q band of haematoporphyrin [12]. These favourable characteristics, along with the ability to selectively functionalise their peripheral structure, make PCs favourable photosensitiser candidates [10, 75–78].

A sulphonated aluminium PC derivative (Photosense, Figure 23) has also entered clinical trials (Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, and the surgical clinic of the Moscow Medical Academy, Moscow, Russia) against skin, breast, and lung malignancies and cancer of the gastrointestinal tract [5, 18, 79–81]. Sulphonation significantly increases PC solubility in polar solvents including water, circumventing the need for alternative delivery vehicles [9, 12, 18, 82].

A third PC under investigation is a silicon complex, PC4. This photosensitiser is being examined for the sterilisation of blood components at the New York Blood Centre (VI Technologies Incorporated (Vitex), Melville, NY, USA), against human colon, breast, and ovarian cancers and against glioma [5, 83–89].

A shortcoming of many of the metallo-PCs is their tendency to aggregate in aqueous buffer (pH 7.4), resulting in a decrease, or total loss, of their photochemical activity. This behaviour can be minimised in the presence of detergents [12].

Metallated cationic porphyrazines (PZ), including PdPZ⁺, CuPZ⁺, CdPZ⁺, MgPZ⁺, AlPZ⁺, and GaPZ⁺, have been developed and also tested in vitro on V-79 (Chinese hamster lung fibroblast) cells. Results have suggested these photosensitisers are capable of inducing substantial dark toxicity [12].

Figure 22.

Zinc phthalocyanine CGP55847.

Figure 23.

Photosense.

Naphthalocyanines —

Naphthalocyanines (NCs, Figure 24) are an extended PC derivative. They have an additional benzene ring attached to each isoindole sub-unit on the periphery of the PC structure. Subsequently, NCs absorb strongly at even longer wavelengths (approximately 740–780 nm) than PCs (670–780 nm), further increasing the depth NC photosensitisers can be effectively used at. This absorption in the near infrared region makes NCs good candidates for photodynamic treatment of highly pigmented tumours, including melanomas, which present significant problems with respect to transmission of visible light.

However, a number of problems are associated with NC photosensitisers. NCs are generally less stable than their PC relatives: they readily decompose in the presence of light and oxygen; and metallo-NCs, which lack axial ligands, have a tendency to form H-aggregates in solution [12, 90]. These aggregates are photoinactive, thus compromising the photodynamic efficacy of NCs [12]. The main investigations into NCs as photodynamic therapy agents have been carried out by Kenney and co-workers, van Lier's group and the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (Sofia, Bulgaria) (see below).

Figure 24.

A naphthalocyanine.

Functional groups —

Altering the peripheral functionality of porphyrin-type chromophores can also have an effect on photodynamic activity.

Diamino platinum porphyrins show high anti-tumour activity, demonstrating the combined effect of the cytotoxicity of the platinum complex and the photodynamic activity of the porphyrin species [12, 91].

Positively charged PC derivatives have also been investigated [12, 64, 76, 77]. Cationic species are believed to selectively localise in the vital sub-cellular organelle, the mitochondrion. Mitochondria are key to the survival of a cell; being the site of oxidative phosphorylation, and hence are potentially important PDT targets.

Zinc and copper cationic derivatives have been investigated. Although, the positively charged zinc complexed PC was found to be less photodynamically active than its neutral counterpart in vitro against V-79 cells [12].

Water-soluble cationic porphyrins bearing nitrophenyl, aminophenyl, hydroxyphenyl, and/or pyridiniumyl functional groups exhibit varying cytotoxicity to cancer cells in vitro , depending on the nature of the metal ion (Mn, Fe, Zn, Ni), and on the number and type of functional groups [12, 77, 92]. The manganese pyridiniumyl derivative has shown the highest photodynamic activity, while the nickel analogue is photoinactive (Figure 25) [12, 92].

Another metallo-porphyrin complex, the iron chelate, was found to be more photoactive (towards HIV and simian immunodeficiency virus in MT-4 cells) than the manganese complexes; the zinc derivative was found to be photoinactive [12, 93].

The hydrophilic sulphonated porphyrins and PCs (AlPorphyrin and AlPC) compounds were tested for photodynamic activity [94]. The disulphonated analogues (with adjacent substituted sulphonated groups, Figure 26) exhibited greater photodynamic activity than their di-(symmetrical), mono-, tri- and tetra-sulphonated counterparts; tumour activity increased with increasing degree of sulphonation [8, 78].

Figure 25.

Water-soluble cationic metallated porphyrins.

Figure 26.

5,10-Di-(4-sulphonatophenyl)-15,20-diphenylporphyrinato aluminium chloride.

11. THIRD-GENERATION PHOTOSENSITISERS

The poor solubility of many photosensitisers in aqueous media, particularly at physiological pH, prevents their intravenous delivery directly into the bloodstream. It would be advantageous therefore, if a delivery model could be conceived which would allow the transportation of these (otherwise potentially useful) photosensitisers to the site of diseased tissue.

Work has recently focused on designing systems to effect greater selectivity and specificity on the photosensitiser in order to enhance cellular uptake [7, 38]. A number of possible delivery strategies have been suggested, ranging from the use of oil-in-water (o/w) emulsions to liposomes and nanoparticles as potential carrier vehicles [3, 7, 18, 36, 95, 96]. There is concern however, that although the use of these systems may increase the therapeutic effect observed as a result of photodynamic therapy, the carrier system may inadvertently decrease the “observed” singlet oxygen quantum yield (Φ_Δ) of the encapsulated photosensitiser: the singlet oxygen generated by the photosensitiser would have to diffuse out of the carrier system; and since it (singlet oxygen) is believed to have a narrow radius of action, singlet oxygen may not reach the target and elicit its desired effect [18]. It may also be possible that, if the size of the carrier is not sufficiently small or that the carrier system does not fully dissolve in physiological media, the incidence/exciting light may not be appropriately absorbed and light scattering may be significant, thus inadvertently reducing the singlet oxygen yield. An alternative delivery method which would remove this problem is the use of targeting moieties. Typical targeting strategies have included the investigation of photosensitisers directly attached to biologically active molecules such as antibodies [23–25]. These third generation photosensitisers are currently showing promise (in vitro) against colorectal tumour cells [24].

Metallation —

A wide range of metals have been used to form complexes with photosensitiser macrocycles, with variable photodynamic results. A number of the second generation photosensitisers described earlier contain a chelated central metal ion. The main metals which have been used are transition metals, although a number of photosensitisers co-ordinated to group 13 (Al, AlPcS₄) and group 14 (Si, SiNC, and Sn, SnEt₂) metals have also been synthesised.

There seems to be no consistent observation as to the potential success of metallated photosensitisers. Indeed, a wide range of photosensitisers are metallated, but the metal ion does not confer definite photoactivity on the photosensitiser. Copper (II), cobalt (II), iron (II), and zinc (II) complexes of Hp are all photoinactive in contrast to metal-free porphyrins [12]. Yet the reverse has been observed for texaphyrin and PC photosensitisers; only the metallo-complexes have demonstrated efficient photosensitisation [12].

The presence and nature of the central metal ion, bound by a number of photosensitisers, strongly influences the photophysical properties of the photosensitiser [12, 64, 77]. Chelation of paramagnetic metals to a PC chromophore appears to shorten triplet lifetimes (down to nanosecond range), generating variations in the triplet quantum yield and triplet lifetime of the photoexcited triplet state of the metallated PC (mPC) [12, 64, 77, 97].

Intersystem crossing (ISC) is an important parameter of photosensitisers. The triplet quantum yield and lifetime of a photosensitiser are directly related to the efficiency of singlet oxygen generation; a key component in the success of a photosensitiser [97].

Certain heavy metals are known to enhance ISC. Generally, diamagnetic metals promote ISC and have a long triplet lifetime [64, 77, 97]. In contrast, paramagnetic species deactivate excited states, reducing the excited-state lifetime and preventing photochemical reactions from taking place [97]. However, there are well-known exceptions to this generalisation, including copper octaethylbenzochlorin [13].

For many of the metallated paramagnetic texaphyrin species, triplet-state lifetimes are down in the nanosecond range [97]. These results are also mirrored by metallated PCs. PCs metallated with diamagnetic ions, such as Zn²⁺, Al³⁺, and Ga³⁺, generally yield photosensitisers with desirable quantum yields and lifetimes (Φ_T 0.56, 0.50 and 0.34 and τ _T 187, 126 and 35 μs, resp.) [12, 97]. The ZnPC photosensitiser (ZnPcS₄) has a singlet oxygen quantum yield of 0.70; nearly twice that of most other mPCs (Φ_Δ at least 0.40) [12, 18]. Hence, the latter diamagnetic complexes should be strong candidates for PDT.

Since the heavy metal effect (see Glossary) is known to promote ISC, theoretically, it should be possible to enhance the photophysical properties (Φ_T, Φ_Δ, and τ _T) of any photosensitiser via metallation. In practice, this is not the case. Only one metallo-porphyrin photosensitiser (copper octaethylbenzochlorin) has shown photodynamic promise, the remaining efficient porphyrin photosensitisers are metal-free [13]. The reverse of this behaviour is observed for PCs and texaphyrins; only the (diamagnetic) metallated complexes have exhibited potential as photosensitisers [10, 12]. The metal-free analogues have shown no promise as photosensitisers [12].

Expanded metallo-porphyrins —

Expanded porphyrins have a larger central binding cavity, increasing the number of potential metals it can accommodate.

Diamagnetic metallo-texaphyrins have shown encouraging photophysical properties; high triplet quantum yields and efficient generation of singlet oxygen [12, 64, 77]. In particular, the zinc and cadmium derivatives have shown triplet quantum yields close to unity [12]. In contrast, the paramagnetic metallo-texaphyrins, Mn-Tex, Sm-Tex, and Eu-Tex, have undetectable triplet quantum yields. This behaviour is parallel with that observed for the corresponding metallo-porphyrins [12].

The cadmium-texaphyrin derivative has shown in vitro photodynamic activity against human leukemia cells and Gram positive (Staphylococcus) and Gram negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria [98–101]. Although follow-up studies have been limited with this photosensitiser due to the toxicity of the complexed cadmium ion.

A zinc-metallated seco-porphyrazine (Figure 27) has been developed with a high quantum singlet oxygen yield (Φ_Δ 0.74) [102]. This expanded porphyrin-like photosensitiser has shown the best singlet oxygen photosensitising ability of any of the reported seco-porphyrazines. Platinum and palladium derivatives have also been synthesised with singlet oxygen quantum yields of 0.59 and 0.54, respectively, (Figure 27) [102].

Figure 27.

Zinc metallated seco-porphyrazine, platinum, and palladium derivatives.

Metallochlorins/bacteriochlorins —

The tin (IV) purpurins were found to be more active when compared with analogous zinc (II) purpurins, when evaluated against human cancers [5–7, 9, 18, 103, 104].

Sulphonated benzochlorin derivatives have demonstrated a reduced phototherapeutic response against murine leukemia L1210 cells in vitro and transplanted urothelial cell carcinoma in rats, whereas the tin (IV) metallated benzochlorins exhibited an increased photodynamic effect in the same tumour model (Figure 28) [105].

The previously mentioned copper octaethylbenzochlorin (Figure 10) demonstrated an unexpected result. Despite an undetectable triplet state, it appears to be more photoactive towards leukemia cells in vitro and a rat bladder tumour model [106–108]. Suggestions for this unusual effect have pointed to interactions between the cationic iminium group and biomolecules [109]. Such interactions may allow electron-transfer reactions to take place via the short-lived excited singlet state and lead to the formation of radicals and radical ions. The copper-free derivative exhibited a tumour response with short intervals between drug administration and photodynamic therapy. Increased in vivo activity was observed with the zinc benzochlorin analogue [109].

Figure 28.

Sulphonated and tin (IV) benzochlorin derivatives.

Metallo-phthalocyanines —

The photophysical properties of PCs are strongly influenced by the presence and nature of the central metal ion [12, 18, 64, 77]. Co-ordination of transition metal ions gives metallo-complexes with short triplet lifetimes (nanosecond range), resulting in different triplet quantum yields and lifetimes (with respect to the non-metallated analogues) [12]. The diamagnetic metals, such as zinc, aluminium, and gallium, generate metallo-phthalocyanines (MPC) with high triplet quantum yields (Φ_T ≥ 0.4) and short lifetimes (ZnPCS₄ τ _T = 490 Fs and AlPcS₄ τ _T = 400 Fs) and high singlet oxygen quantum yields (Φ_Δ ≥ 0.7) [12, 18, 64, 77, 110]. As a result, ZnPc and AlPc have been evaluated as second generation photosensitisers active against certain tumours [12].

Metallo-naphthocyaninesulfobenzo-porphyrazines (M-NSBP) —

Aluminium has been successfully coordinated to M-NSBP (Figure 29). The resulting complex has shown photodynamic activity against EMT-6 tumour-bearing Balb/c mice (disulphonated analogue demonstrated greater photoactivity than the mono-derivative) [111].

Figure 29.

An aluminium naphthalocyaninesulfobenzoporphyrazine.

Metallo-naphthalocyanines —

Wöhrle and co-workers (Bulgaria) have concentrated their investigations on a zinc NC with various amido substituents. They observed the best phototherapeutic response (Lewis lung carcinoma in mice) with a tetrabenzamido analogue [112–114]. Kenney's group in the USA have studied complexes of silicon (IV) NCs (Figure 30) with two axial ligands in anticipation the ligands would minimise aggregation [115]. In particular, they investigated the disubstituted analogues as potential photodynamic agents [116, 117]. Kenney's results suggested that a siloxane NC substituted with two methoxyethyleneglycol ligands is an efficient photosensitiser against Lewis lung carcinoma in mice and that SiNC[OSi(i-Bu)₂-n-C₁₈H₃₇]₂ is effective against Balb/c mice MS-2 fibrosarcoma cells [118, 119]. van Lier and his group in Canada have also extensively investigated siloxane NCs as agents for photodynamic therapy [5, 76]. van Lier's research on these compounds suggests that they are efficacious photosensitisers against EMT-6 tumours in Balb/c mice also [120, 121]. The ability of certain metallo-NC derivatives (AlNc) to generate singlet oxygen is weaker than the analogous (sulphonated) metallo-PCs (AlPC); reportedly 1.6–3 orders of magnitude less [12].

It can be seen from the above examples that generalisation(s) between the nature of the parent chromophore; the presence/absence of a central metal ion; and the desirable photophysical properties required for a successful photosensitiser are difficult to make. In the porphyrin systems, the zinc ion appears to hinder the photodynamic activity of the compound; whereas, in the higher/expanded π-systems, dyes chelated with the same metal ion are observed to form complexes with good to high photophysical/photodynamic properties.

In order to try and address these observations, Sessler and his group undertook an extensive study into the metallated texaphyrins, investigating the “influence of large metal cations on the photophysical properties of texaphyrins.” They particularly studied “the effect of metal cations on the photophysical properties of coordinating ligands.” The group concentrated on the lanthanide (III) metal ions, Y, In, Lu, Cd, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Yb [97].

Sessler and co-workers observed that when diamagnetic Lu (III) was complexed to texaphyrin, an effective photosensitiser (Lutex) was generated. When they substituted the paramagnetic Gd (III) ion for the Lu metal, photodynamic activity was lost. As a result, the group investigated a range of diamagnetic and paramagnetic ions [97].

Sessler further reported a correlation between the excited-singlet and triplet state lifetimes and the rate of ISC of the diamagnetic texaphyrin complexes, Y(III), In (III), and Lu (III), and the atomic number of the cation [97].

Paramagnetic metallo-texaphyrins were observed to display rapid ISC. Greater effects on the rates of triplet decay were also observed, and the triplet lifetimes were strongly affected by the choice of metal centre [97]. The diamagnetic ions (Y, In, and Lu) were recorded as having triplet lifetimes ranging from 187, 126, and 35 μs, respectively. Comparable lifetimes for the paramagnetic species (Eu-Tex 6.98 μs, Gd-Tex 1.11, Tb-Tex < 0.2, Dy-Tex 0.44 × 10⁻³, Ho-Tex 0.85 × 10⁻³, Er-Tex 0.76 × 10⁻³, Tm-Tex 0.12 × 10⁻³, and Yb-Tex 0.46) were obtained [97].

Sessler and his group were only able to measure the triplet quantum yields for three of the paramagnetic complexes (see Table 1). The results were significantly lower than the diamagnetic metallo-texaphyrins [97].

The data collected from Sessler and co-workers experiments suggests that, in general, singlet oxygen quantum yields closely follow the triplet quantum yields.

Their experimental data leads to the conclusion that various diamagnetic and paramagnetic texaphyrins investigated have independent photophysical behaviour with respect to a complex's magnetism. The diamagnetic complexes were characterised by relatively high fluorescence quantum yields, excited-singlet and triplet lifetimes, and singlet oxygen quantum yields; in distinct contrast to the paramagnetic species investigated [97].

Results suggested that the +2 charged diamagnetic species exhibit a direct relationship between their fluorescence quantum yields, excited state lifetimes, rate of ISC, and the atomic number of the metal ion. The greatest diamagnetic ISC rate was observed for Lu-Tex; a result ascribed to the heavy atom effect. The heavy atom effect also held for the Y-Tex, In-Tex, and Lu-Tex triplet quantum yields and lifetimes. The triplet quantum yields and lifetimes both decreased with increasing atomic number. The singlet oxygen quantum yield correlated with this observation [97].

The photophysical properties displayed by the paramagnetic species were more complex. A simple correlation between the observed data/behaviour and the number of unpaired electrons located on the metal ion could not be made. For example, the ISC rates and the fluorescence lifetimes gradually decreased with increasing atomic number, the Gd-Tex, and Tb-Tex chromophores showed (despite having a larger number of unpaired electrons) slower rates of ISC and longer lifetimes than Ho-Tex or Dy-Tex. Sessler suggested that charge transfer or intermolecular energy transfer is taking place from higher excited states (such as S₂) [97].

Figure 30.

A siloxane naphthalocyanine.

Table 1.

Quantum triplet yields of texaphyrin metallated with paramagnetic and diamagnetic lanthanides (data reproduced from [97]).

Paramagnetic MTex	ΦT		Diamagnetic MTex
Eu-Tex	0.090	0.563	Y-Tex
Gd-Tex	0.156	0.500	In-Tex
Yb-Tex	0.126	0.340	Lu-Tex

12. SUMMARY

A variety of second generation photosensitisers have been developed and evaluated against a range of clinical applications (see Tables 2 and 3). The metallation of a number of these chromophores has generated a variety of photosensitisers with improved photophysical properties. The effectiveness of these metallo-photosensitisers depends largely (but not definitively) on the nature of the co-ordinated central metal ion. Chromophores chelated to diamagnetic transition metals and lanthanide ions have shown the greatest potential as photodynamic agents, a consequence of the heavy metal effect enhancing the rate of ISC. As a result, a number of these metallated tetrapyrrole-based macrocycles are currently photosensitisers of choice, particularly the zinc (II), aluminium (III), and tin (IV) complexes.

Box 1.

Box 4.

GLOSSARY

1. AMD is the leading cause of blindness in humans over the age of 50. AMD is characterised by a rapid growth of abnormal blood vessels under the central retina causing scarring, and an accelerated loss of visual acuity [58].

2. Chemosensitisers are drugs or chemicals which are used to enhance the therapeutic effects of anti-cancer (chemotherapy) drugs. They make the tumour cells more sensitive to the effects of chemotherapy.

3. Diamagnetic species is a species with no unpaired electrons, that is, all electrons are spin-paired.

4. Fluorophore is generally a molecule capable of absorbing light energy when irradiated at a specific wavelength and emitting energy at longer wavelengths.

5. Heavy atom effect enhances coupling between the excited-singlet (S₁) and excited-triplet (T₁) states. It is the enhancement of a spin-forbidden process by the presence of an atom of high atomic molecular weight. Mechanistically, it responds to a spin-orbit coupling enhancement produced by a heavy atom. Spin-forbidden and spin-allowed processes are highlighted in Section 7.

6. Luminescence lifetime is the average time a molecule spends in an excited state (S_n > 0 or T_n > 0).

7. Methylene blue is used to sterilize/decontaminate freshly frozen plasma units by inactivating extracellularly enveloped viruses (such as HIV), as well as methaemoglobinaemia [5, 9].

8. Paramagnetic species is a species with one or more unpaired electrons.

9. Phase I clinical trials are used to determine pharmacokinetic properties (metabolism, elimination, and preferred method of administration) and a safe dosage range, and identify any side effects of a new drug. They are performed on a small number of people (20–80).

10. Phase II clinical trials are performed on a larger group of people (100–300). The drug is further evaluated to test its effectiveness and any side effects.

11. Phase III clinical trials: the drugs effectiveness is confirmed and comparisons are made to more commonly used treatment modalities in a range of 1000–3000 people. Potential side effects are monitored.

12. Phase IV clinical trials are post-marketing observations and evaluations.

13. Photochemotherapy is a combination of a chemical substance and light to treat disease.

14. Phototherapy is a term used to describe the treatment of disease by a series of (photo-) chemical processes initiated by light.

15. Radiosensitisers are drugs which boost the effect of radiation therapy (radiotherapy) by making the tumour tissue more vulnerable to the applied radiation. They may be used alone or in conjunction with other drugs.

16. Restenosis is the renarrowing of a coronary artery after angioplasty or stenting.