Photodynamic Therapy Applications in Nanoparticle Delivery Systems
Summary
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) utilises a photosensitising agent, light irradiation and molecular oxygen to generate cytotoxic reactive oxygen species that destroy diseased or malignant cells. Conventional photosensitisers often suffer from poor water solubility, aggregation, off-target accumulation and rapid clearance, limiting therapeutic index and clinical adoption. Nanoparticle delivery systems address these challenges by encapsulating or conjugating photosensitisers within biocompatible carriers, thereby enhancing solubility, stabilising monomeric forms, improving biodistribution and affording controlled or stimuli-responsive release. A range of platforms—from polymeric micelles and liposomes to polymer-based nanoparticles and microgels—have been engineered to incorporate targeting ligands, such as antibodies or nanobodies, for receptor-mediated uptake. Integration with imaging modalities further enables real-time guidance and dosimetry. Recent advances demonstrate the potential of tailored nanocarriers to boost singlet oxygen quantum yield, refine subcellular localisation and reduce systemic phototoxicity, opening new avenues for precise, minimally invasive cancer treatment and beyond.
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Photodynamic Therapy Applications in Nanoparticle Delivery Systems publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in photodynamic therapy applications in nanoparticle delivery systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Photodynamic therapy (PDT): Treatment modality combining a light-activated photosensitiser and oxygen to produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species.
Photosensitiser: A molecule that, upon light absorption, transfers energy to oxygen to generate singlet oxygen or other reactive species.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Chemically reactive molecules, including singlet oxygen, responsible for inducing cell damage in PDT.
Nanoparticle delivery system: Colloidal carrier (10–1000 nm) used to encapsulate or conjugate therapeutic agents to enhance stability, targeting and release.
Polymeric micelle: Self-assembled amphiphilic copolymer aggregates with a hydrophobic core and hydrophilic shell, ideal for solubilising hydrophobic drugs.
PEGylation: Attachment of poly(ethylene glycol) chains to molecules or particles to improve solubility, biocompatibility and circulation time.
Singlet oxygen quantum yield: Efficiency metric for conversion of absorbed light energy into singlet oxygen, a key determinant of PDT efficacy.
Targeting ligand: Molecule (antibody, peptide or nanobody) conjugated to a nanoparticle to direct selective binding and uptake by target cells.
References
- Nanoencapsulation of a Far-Red Absorbing Phthalocyanine into Poly(benzylmalate) Biopolymers and Modulation of Their Photodynamic Efficiency. Biomacromolecules (2024).
- Nanobody-mediated targeting of zinc phthalocyanine with polymer micelles as nanocarriers. International Journal of Pharmaceutics (2024).
- Comparing PVP and Polymeric Micellar Formulations of a PEGylated Photosensitizing Phthalocyanine by NMR and Optical Techniques. Molecular Pharmaceutics (2023).
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