Synthesis of boronated derivatives of pheophorbide a

Abstract

294 Photodynamic therapy (PDT) [1] and boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) [2] are promising clinical approaches enabling a local effect on a tumor with little if any damage to the healthy tissue around it. Both methods are based on the selective accumulation of photoand radiosensitizer in cancer cells and in situ production of high-energy particles upon activation of the sensitizer by light of a definite wavelength (PDT, ) or thermal neutrons (BNCT, 4 He 2+ and 7 Li 3+ ). The particles produced in a tumor have short path lengths comparable with the cell size, which allows them to locally destroy tumor cells (apoptosis, necrosis) leaving healthy tissue intact [3]. Furthermore, PDT used for the treatment of O2 – Synthesis of Boronated Derivatives of Pheophorbide a