Advanced Research in Photothermal Therapy

A special issue of Photochem (ISSN 2673-7256).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2022) | Viewed by 13270

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Guest Editor
1. Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
2. Institute of Nanotechnology (NANOTEC), National Research Council (CNR), UOS Cosenza, 87036 Rende, Italy
Interests: plasmonics; gold nanoparticles; photodynamic therapy; coordination compounds; photophysics
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Dear Colleagues,

Photothermal therapy (PTT) is the most remarkable aspect of nanotechnology in the utilization of hyperthermia, i.e., a therapeutic method whereby cancers are ablated by the heat generated from absorbed light energy. Due to its spatiotemporal specificity and minimal invasiveness, PTT is an increasingly recognized alternative to other invasive tumor treatments, such as chemotherapy. Since the nanotechnologies used in PTT must act as transducers from light to thermal energy, effective phototherapeutic systems combine different components to maximize the absorber extinction coefficient in the NIR region and increase the energy conversion ability. For this reason, the efforts made in PTT are highly interdisciplinary and involve the use of gold or silver plasmonic nanoparticles, lanthanide complexes, carbon nanotubes, and magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. Additionally, PTT is often associated with other cancer treatment and diagnostic strategies, such as photodynamic therapy, photorelease of chemotherapeutic agents, and imaging. For this reason, the study of the nanomaterials used in PTT is a very stimulating research field for those involved in the biomedical applications of light-activated nanotechnologies.

Dr. Massimo La Deda
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • Photothermal therapy
  • Photothermal agents
  • Theranostic nanomedicine
  • Photomedicine
  • Cancer treatment
  • Phototherapeutics

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 4383 KiB  
Article
Photodynamic Polymers Constituted by Porphyrin Units as Antibacterial Materials
by María B. Ballatore, María E. Pérez, Sofía C. Santamarina, Javier E. Durantini, María E. Milanesio and Edgardo N. Durantini
Photochem 2022, 2(4), 891-904; https://doi.org/10.3390/photochem2040057 - 9 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1712
Abstract
Photodynamic inactivation of microorganisms has emerged as a promising strategy to kill and eradicate pathogens. In this work, two polymers, TCP-P and ZnTCP-P, were synthesized by oxidative polymerization of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis [3-(N-ethylcarbazoyl)]porphyrin and its complex with Zn(II). Solid polymers consist of [...] Read more.
Photodynamic inactivation of microorganisms has emerged as a promising strategy to kill and eradicate pathogens. In this work, two polymers, TCP-P and ZnTCP-P, were synthesized by oxidative polymerization of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis [3-(N-ethylcarbazoyl)]porphyrin and its complex with Zn(II). Solid polymers consist of rods (diameter 100 nm, length ~100–500 nm) that form microporous structures on a surface. UV-visible absorption spectra in solution showed the Soret and Q bands characteristic of the corresponding constitutional porphyrins. In addition, the polymers presented two red emission bands with quantum yields ΦF = 0.11 for TCP-P and ΦF = 0.050 for ZnTCP-P. These compounds sensitized the production of singlet molecular oxygen with quantum yields of ΦΔ~0.3. Thus, the spectroscopic and photodynamic properties of the porphyrin units were maintained in the conjugates. The photodynamic activity induced by both polymers was tested to inactivate S. aureus. In cell suspensions, TCP-P was more effective than ZnTCP-P in killing bacteria. Viable S. aureus cells were not detected using 4 µM TCP-P after 20 min of irradiation. Moreover, both polymers showed a high photocytotoxic activity to eradicate S. aureus cells attached to a surface. The results indicate that these conjugated polymers can act as effective antimicrobial agents to photoinactivate pathogens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Photothermal Therapy)
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14 pages, 2386 KiB  
Article
Probing the Local Polarity in Biocompatible Nanocarriers with Solvatofluorochromism of a 4-Carbazole-1,8-naphthalimide Dye
by Ana M. Diniz, Rui P. R. Cruz and João Avó
Photochem 2022, 2(3), 489-502; https://doi.org/10.3390/photochem2030034 - 24 Jun 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1894
Abstract
The study of local polarity at the nanoscale is of crucial importance for the development of smart drug delivery systems and photonic materials and is frequently accomplished with the use of luminescent tracer dyes. Nile Red is often used for this purpose, owing [...] Read more.
The study of local polarity at the nanoscale is of crucial importance for the development of smart drug delivery systems and photonic materials and is frequently accomplished with the use of luminescent tracer dyes. Nile Red is often used for this purpose, owing to its polarity-sensitive internal charge transfer transition, but its performance is affected by specific solute-solvent interactions that prevent its widespread applicability. Herein, we develop a new 1,8-naphthalimide dye with a strong charge-transfer transition that results in a large dipole moment change upon excitation. This leads to luminescence properties with high sensitivity to solvent polarity, that are independent of specific or inductive interactions. These properties are explored to probe the polarity of biocompatible nanocarriers. This dye was effective in probing the properties of polymeric nanoparticles, allowing the accurate calculation of polarity descriptors and dielectric constants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Photothermal Therapy)
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13 pages, 2528 KiB  
Article
The Repurposing of the Antimalaria Drug, Primaquine, as a Photosensitizer to Inactivate Cryptococcal Cells
by Uju L. Madu, Adepemi O. Ogundeji, Olufemi S. Folorunso, Jacobus Albertyn, Carolina H. Pohl and Olihile M. Sebolai
Photochem 2021, 1(2), 275-286; https://doi.org/10.3390/photochem1020017 - 7 Sep 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2588
Abstract
Cryptococcal cells can manifest skin infections in immunocompromised persons. While it may be easy to diagnose cryptococcal infection, treatment often fails due to the ineffectiveness of current antifungal agents. To this end, the present study explored the repurposing of primaquine (PQ), as a [...] Read more.
Cryptococcal cells can manifest skin infections in immunocompromised persons. While it may be easy to diagnose cryptococcal infection, treatment often fails due to the ineffectiveness of current antifungal agents. To this end, the present study explored the repurposing of primaquine (PQ), as a photosensitizer. PDT was carried out using a germicidal ultraviolet (UV) lamp, which has a radiation output of approximately 625 µW/cm2 at a distance of 20 cm. When compared to the non-treated cells, the metabolic activity of cryptococcal cells was significantly (p < 0.05) limited. The photolytic products of PQ were observed to alter the ultrastructure of treated cells. The latter was not incidental, as the same cells were also documented to lose their selective permeability. Importantly, PDT also improved the efficiency of macrophages to kill internalized cryptococcal cells (p ≤ 0.05) when compared to non-treated macrophages. Equally importantly, PDT was not detrimental to macrophages, as their metabolic activity was not significantly (p > 0.05) limited, even when exposed to 20× the MIC (determined for cryptococcal cells) and an exposure time that was 4× longer. Taken together, the results suggest PQ has the potential to control the growth of cryptococcal cells and limit their survival inside the macrophage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Photothermal Therapy)
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12 pages, 7078 KiB  
Article
Leaf Extract Arbitrated Biogenic Synthesis of Silver Nanospheres by a Medicinal Plant from the Western Ghats with Enhanced Antimicrobial Property
by John Sherin, Puvanesvaran Senthil Kumar and Swaminathan Karuthapandian
Photochem 2021, 1(2), 264-274; https://doi.org/10.3390/photochem1020016 - 6 Sep 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2885
Abstract
In the present study, we report the greener, simple, cost effective, non-hazardous and ecofriendly synthesis of silver (Ag) nanoparticles from Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. for the first time. The synthesis of silver nanoparticles using the leaf stock acted as a reducing [...] Read more.
In the present study, we report the greener, simple, cost effective, non-hazardous and ecofriendly synthesis of silver (Ag) nanoparticles from Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. for the first time. The synthesis of silver nanoparticles using the leaf stock acted as a reducing as well as the capping agent simultaneously. The bio-reduced silver nanoparticles were characterized using ultra violet-visible spectroscopy (UV) exhibiting blue shift absorption peak in the region 440 nm. The newly synthesized Ag NPs were sphere-like in structure and grew well with a crystalline size of 16.57 nm. The Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis identifies the biomolecules which are involved during the synthesis process. The synthesized nanocatalyst served as a good catalyst for degrading methyl orange dye under solar light irradiation and was monitored spectrophotometrically. Furthermore, the antimicrobial potential of Ag NPs was evaluated an could competently inhibit different pathogenic organisms, including bacteria and fungi. Additionally, the efficiency of the silver nanoparticles was tested against the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange dye pollutant. Different operational parameters such as catalyst weight dosage, dye concentration and different pH were optimized. The pollutants were degraded within 35 min. The present research work opens a pathway to synthesize nanomaterial by applying the principles of green chemistry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Photothermal Therapy)
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Review

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14 pages, 985 KiB  
Review
Recent Advances in Combined Photothermal and Photodynamic Therapies against Cancer Using Carbon Nanomaterial Platforms for In Vivo Studies
by Lucas D. Dias, Hilde H. Buzzá, Mirian D. Stringasci and Vanderlei S. Bagnato
Photochem 2021, 1(3), 434-447; https://doi.org/10.3390/photochem1030026 - 21 Oct 2021
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 3213
Abstract
Cancer is considered one of the major public health problems worldwide. Among the therapeutic approaches investigated and used so far, the combined use of photothermal (PTT) and photodynamic (PDT) therapies have shown promising results for in vivo studies. The mechanisms of actions of [...] Read more.
Cancer is considered one of the major public health problems worldwide. Among the therapeutic approaches investigated and used so far, the combined use of photothermal (PTT) and photodynamic (PDT) therapies have shown promising results for in vivo studies. The mechanisms of actions of both therapies are based on use of a chemical entity and a source light with an appropriate wavelength, and, in PDTs case, also molecular oxygen (O2). Moreover, the combined use of PTT and PDT may present a synergic effect on the elimination of solid tumor and metastasis. Herein, we review the past 5 years (2016–2020) regarding the combined use of PTT and PDT and carbon nanomaterial platforms as photosensitizers and photothermal agents against cancer (in vivo evaluation). We intend to highlight the most important and illustrative examples for this period. Additionally, we report the mechanisms of action of PTT and PTT and the general physical/chemical properties of carbon nanomaterial platforms used for this therapeutic approach. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Photothermal Therapy)
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