Recent Progress in Type I Aggregation-Induced Emission Photosensitizers for Photodynamic Therapy

Yuewen Yu; Hanyu Jia; Yubo Liu; Le Zhang; Guangxue Feng; Ben Zhong Tang

doi:10.3390/molecules28010332

Molecules (Dec 2022)

Recent Progress in Type I Aggregation-Induced Emission Photosensitizers for Photodynamic Therapy

Yuewen Yu,
Hanyu Jia,
Yubo Liu,
Le Zhang,
Guangxue Feng,
Ben Zhong Tang

Affiliations

Yuewen Yu: State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Luminescence from Molecular Aggregates, School of Materials Science and Engineering, AIE Institute, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
Hanyu Jia: State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Luminescence from Molecular Aggregates, School of Materials Science and Engineering, AIE Institute, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
Yubo Liu: State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Luminescence from Molecular Aggregates, School of Materials Science and Engineering, AIE Institute, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
Le Zhang: State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Luminescence from Molecular Aggregates, School of Materials Science and Engineering, AIE Institute, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
Guangxue Feng: State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Luminescence from Molecular Aggregates, School of Materials Science and Engineering, AIE Institute, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
Ben Zhong Tang: Center for Aggregation-Induced Emission, AIE Institute, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28010332
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 28, no. 1
p. 332

Abstract

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In modern medicine, precision diagnosis and treatment using optical materials, such as fluorescence/photoacoustic imaging-guided photodynamic therapy (PDT), are becoming increasingly popular. Photosensitizers (PSs) are the most important component of PDT. Different from conventional PSs with planar molecular structures, which are susceptible to quenching effects caused by aggregation, the distinct advantages of AIE fluorogens open up new avenues for the development of image-guided PDT with improved treatment accuracy and efficacy in practical applications. It is critical that as much of the energy absorbed by optical materials is dissipated into the pathways required to maximize biomedical applications as possible. Intersystem crossing (ISC) represents a key step during the energy conversion process that determines many fundamental optical properties, such as increasing the efficiency of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production from PSs, thus enhancing PDT efficacy. Although some review articles have summarized the accomplishments of various optical materials in imaging and therapeutics, few of them have focused on how to improve the phototherapeutic applications, especially PDT, by adjusting the ISC process of organic optics materials. In this review, we emphasize the latest advances in the reasonable design of AIE-active PSs with type I photochemical mechanism for anticancer or antibacterial applications based on ISC modulation, as well as discuss the future prospects and challenges of them. In order to maximize the anticancer or antibacterial effects of type I AIE PSs, it is the aim of this review to offer advice for their design with the best energy conversion.

Published in Molecules

ISSN: 1420-3049 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Chemistry: Organic chemistry
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules

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