title: Use of Photosensitizers in Semisolid Formulations for Microbial Photodynamic Inactivation.
abstract: Semisolid formulations, such as gels, creams and ointments, have recently contributed to the progression of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and microbial photodynamic inactivation (PDI) in clinical applications. The most important challenges facing this field are the physicochemical properties of photosensitizers (PSs), optimal drug release profiles, and the photosensitivity of surrounding tissues. By further integration of nanotechnology with semisolid formulations, very promising pharmaceuticals have been generated against several dermatological diseases (PDT) and (antibiotic-resistant) pathogenic microorganisms (PDI). This review focuses on the different PSs and their associated semisolid formulations currently found in both the market and clinical trials that are used in PDT/PDI. Special emphasis is placed on the advantages that the semisolid formulations bring to drug delivery in PDI. Lastly, some potential considerations for improvement in this field are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Inovapotek, Pharmaceutical Research & Development , Edifício Inovar e Crescer, Salas 23 e 39, Rua Alfredo Allen, 455/461, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.|QOPNA and Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro , 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: José A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: González-Delgado
authors.affiliation: ICBAS-Instituto Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, University of Porto, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal.|I3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 823, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal.|INEB-Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 823, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.affiliation: Inovapotek, Pharmaceutical Research & Development , Edifício Inovar e Crescer, Salas 23 e 39, Rua Alfredo Allen, 455/461, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: QOPNA and Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro , 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.|Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University , B-9000 Gent, Belgium.
authors.forename: João P C
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Tomé
authors.affiliation: Inovapotek, Pharmaceutical Research & Development , Edifício Inovar e Crescer, Salas 23 e 39, Rua Alfredo Allen, 455/461, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.|I3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 823, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal.|INEB-Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 823, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal.|CESPU-Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada em Ciências e Tecnologias da Saúde and Instituto Universitário de Ciências da Saúde, 4585-116 Gandra PRD, Portugal.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sarmento
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D004339:Drug Compounding; D006801:Humans; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects*; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents