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H2020Individual fellowship2015–2017

CONSORT · Controlled Singlet Oxygen Release Photosensitizers in Photodynamic Therapy

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2015-09-15 → 2017-09-14
EU contribution
€187,866
Participants
1
Scheme
MSCA-IF-EF-ST

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Controlled Singlet Oxygen Release Photosensitizers in Photodynamic Therapy

The primary goal of CONSORT was to develop an innovative approach towards generation of singlet oxygen for photomedical therapies, such as photodynamic therapy (PDT), through introduction of a new type of photosensitizers. These molecular systems will be capable to generate singlet oxygen upon irradiation, store it by means of binding to special molecular subunits and slowly release singlet oxygen in biological media on a timescale from several hours to several days after light irradiation treatment. Delayed singlet oxygen formation will be demonstrated in cancer cells after the light treatment using in vitro models. The secondary objective of this project is to optimize the efficiency of novel photosensitizers to allow for increased therapeutic effect and reduced side-effects with respect to conventional PDT. Overall, this project will deliver a new means to treat cancer and other malignancies. To test the hypothesis of this project, a series of research objectives were formulated and reached: (i) Synthetic methods to access porphyrins with chemically bound oxygen trapping subunits will be developed; (ii) Proof-of-concept studies will be performed to validate the use of thermal singlet oxygen release and optimize the efficiency of corresponding molecular systems; (iii) Biopolymers bearing chemically modified with oxygen trapping subunits in the polymer chain and decorated with conventional PDT sensitizer will be developed; (iv) In vitro screening protocols for PDT in living cells using the concept of delayed singlet oxygen release will be performed.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

Photodynamic therapy is a form of phototherapy which uses light-sensitive compounds (photosensitizers) that are exposed selectively to light, whereupon they become toxic to targeted malignant and other diseased cells. The photosensitizer creates a highly reactive singlet oxygen species which rapidly reacts with any nearby biomolecules leading to destructive reactions resulting in cell death through apoptosis or necrosis. However, prolonged exposure of tissue to light irradiation causes photosensitivity in patients’ skin. Side effects may include, pain, burning/stinging sensation, itchiness. This proposal aims to develop a conceptually new approach towards photodynamic therapy through an introduction of new type of photosensitizers and corresponding nanomaterials which are capable to generate singlet oxygen upon irradiation, store it by means of binding to special molecular subunits and slowly release singlet oxygen within tissue on a timescale from several hours to several days after light irradiation treatment. The application of such novel material will allow for increasing therapeutic effect and reduced side-effects with respect to conventional PDT due to shorter light treatment duration. Proof of concept will be attained by demonstration of delayed singlet oxygen formation in cancer cells after the light treatment using in vitro models. The project builds on the strengths of the applicant in organic chemistry, photophysics and material science and combines these with new training in biomedicine and drug development to open a new research direction and to enhance cross-European collaboration.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • THE PROVOST, FELLOWS, FOUNDATION SCHOLARS & THE OTHER MEMBERS OF BOARD, OF THE COLLEGE OF THE HOLY & UNDIVIDED TRINITY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH NEAR DUBLIN · DublinCoordinatorIreland

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union