| abstract |
Nanoparticles containing covalently linked photosensitizer molecules that overcome the drawback of premature release and thus enhance the outcome of PDT. [Silica-based nanoparticles are provided containing at least one covalently linked photosensitizer. The photosensitizer is preferably a tetrapyrrole-based compounds related to porphyrins, chlorins, bacteriochlorins, benzochlorins, benzoporphyrin derivatives, pheophorbides including pyropheophorbides, and phthalocyanines, naphthanocyanines with and without fused ring systems and derivatives of all the above. The nanoparticle may also include covalently linked imaging agents, e.g. radionuclides, magnetic resonance (MR) and fluorescence imaging agents. The imaging agents and photosensitizers may be at a periphery (surface) of the nanoparticles to increase efficiency. Target-specific nanoparticles may be provided by incorporating biotargeting molecules such as specific antibodies at the surface that react with particular ligands to obtain target specificity. Diagnostic agents may be present in the antibody in addition to imaging agents and tumor specific photosensitizers. |