title: Recent Advances in Developing Photosensitizers for Photodynamic Cancer Therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Photosensitizers are key molecules used in photodynamic cancer therapy (PDT), which is an effective therapeutic modality option for several diseases and nononcological disorders. Due to its lower systemic toxicity and its ability to destroy tumors selectively, PDT has been considered as clinical avenue for the treatment of several cancers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three essential elements are involved in a PDT procedure: a photosensitizer, light of a specific wavelength, and singlet oxygen. However, the properties of conventional photosensitizers exhibit some drawbacks that may limit their use. Nanoparticles can provide significant benefits that counter these drawbacks and enable higher efficiency and biosafety. With the development of nanotechnology, nanoparticles have been used to encapsulate photosensitizers to enhance the phototoxic and pharmacokinetic properties of these agents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Here, the main motivation for this review is to summarize recent progress in the development of photosensitizers, in particular, photosensitizers with nanoparticle modifications. In addition, we reviewed the clinical treatment of several diseases using photosensitizers formulated with nanoparticles, with the overall goal of aiding the design and development of novel photosensitizers.
authors.affiliation: MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100176. China.
authors.forename: Cong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100176. China.
authors.forename: Jianmin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: MOH Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100176. China.
authors.forename: Xiaoyan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: The United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350025. China.
authors.forename: Xiaolong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Beijing 100176. China.
authors.forename: Xiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Han
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D057166:High-Throughput Screening Assays; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents
keywords: Photosensitizer; cancer; clinical treatment; nanoparticle; non-oncological disorders; photodynamic therapy