Synthesis of a new photosensitizer for laser-mediated photodynamic therapy to kill cancer cells in gliomas†

Managing glioma, a particularly aggressive form of brain cancer, poses significant challenges because of its inherent resistance and the intricate nature of the central nervous system. Photodynamic therapy (PDT), which uses photosensitizers to target and destroy cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues, has emerged as a novel and effective approach for glioma treatment. In this study, we designed and synthesized a novel photosensitizer, ITIC, for potential application in glioma therapy. By employing nanotechnology, we enhanced the water dispersibility of ITIC. ITIC nanoparticles (NPs) exhibit near-infrared absorbance and are light-activatable for generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), which allows for effective killing of cancer cells. Furthermore, the unique chemical structure of ITIC makes it easy to conjugate ITIC with targeting ligands to enable specific recognition and uptake by glioma cells in both in vitro and in vivo studies, thereby increasing the precision of glioma cell detection and engagement.