A tumor microenvironment-activated near-infrared photosensitizer enable efficient photodynamic therapy of breast tumor

Abstract

As an emerging cancer therapy with high selectivity, minimally invasive and low side effects, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has become the focus of current researches. The breast cancer is a malignant tumor with the highest incidence in women. Thus, it is valuable for improving its treatment efficiency to construct efficient photosensitizer. To this end, we engineered a high stable near-infrared photosensitizer NPA-NH2 based on “step by step” strategy. By modifying the optically tunable amino group of NPA-NH2, a peroxynitrite (ONOO-) activated NPA-ONOO- theranostic agent with a new trifluoromethylsulfonamide recognization site was designed and synthesized. It possessed a good singlet oxygen-generating ability after ONOO- activation under 660 nm light, and a high sensitivity (limit of detection: 0.038 μM) and selectivity respond toward ONOO- in buffer solution. The theranostic agent was able to specially monitor ONOO- in tumor cells. Furthermore, we have succeeded in applying the NPA-ONOO- for efficient and precise photodynamic therapy of breast cancer cells and tumors in vivo. This work provides a new way for the design of highly stable photosensitizers and a reliable tool for effective treatment of breast tumors.