Development of Next-generation Glycoconjugated Photosensitizers for Photodynamic Therapy for Clinical Application

Abstract

A long-standing goal in the field of cancer therapy is the ability to treat tumors noninvasively. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has attracted attention as a less invasive method for treating cancer. Thus, we focused on the sugar conjugation of photosensitizers (chlorin, C₆₀ etc.), mainly to improve their biocompatibility and tumor selectivity. We have developed sugar (glucose, mannose, maltotriose etc.)-conjugated chlorins as third-generation photosensitizers for PDT and glucose conjugated chlorin e6 (G-Ce6), especially, shows excellent PDT effects in vitro and in vivo. In addition, excellent PDT effects have been observed in dog cancer models.