Abstract

Photosensitizer-based nanoparticles: a promising approach in tumor management

Author(s): Antonella Obinu

Indocyanine green (ICG) and Rose Bengal (RB) are two photosensitizers widely used. ICG is a fluorescent dye employed for tumor diagnosis and treatment; RB is used in photodynamic therapy and it demonstrates intrinsic cytotoxicity against tumor cells. However, the clinical application of both photosensitizers is limited: ICG shows aqueous instability and photo-degradation, while RB has a short half-life and its hydrophilic tendency limited its cell accumulation. Our work focuses on the development of polymeric and lipid nanoparticles to improve the usefulness of ICG and RB in tumor management. In particular, ICG-loaded poly(ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate) nanoparticles (ICG-NPs), to increase the ICG chemical stability and as a new theranostic system, and RB-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (RBSLNs) to treat melanoma via dermal delivery in the absence of light were prepared