Tetrastyryl-BODIPY dyes as potential photosensitizers for photodynamic theraphy

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a novel methodology for a wide range of treatments of cancerous and noncancerous diseases. Success of treatment and photodynamic action is highly dependent the performance of PDT agents. Therefore, PDT agents with unique photophysical properties are required in clinical applications. There are several photosensitizers in literature and some are available. However, most of them less than ideal due to limitations such as low molar absorptivity and photo stabilities. In this study, we synthesized near-IR tetrastyryl-Bodipy derivatives as photosensitizers. These sensitizers have strong absorption in therapeutic region and are good photo-generator of singlet oxygen. They are promising for photodynamic therapy with their favorable properties.