Exploring the potential of 7,4′-di(diethylamino)flavylium as a novel photosensitizer for topical photodynamic therapy of skin cancer

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Exploring the potential of 7,4′-di(diethylamino)flavylium as a novel photosensitizer for topical photodynamic therapy of skin cancer

Monday, 30.12.2024

Authors and Affiliations:

Patrícia Correia1, Paula Araújo1, Joana Marto2, Helena Ribeiro2, Nuno Mateus1, Victor de Freitas1, Joana Oliveira1 & Iva Fernandes1

1REQUIMTE/LAQV, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal.

2Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Prof. Gama Pinto S/N, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal.

 

Abstract:

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a minimally invasive therapeutic approach that has shown promising results in recent years, particularly in the dermatological clinical treatment of several pathologies, including neoplastic skin diseases. In light of the recent discovery of the photosensitizing properties of a group of amino-based flavylium dyes, research efforts have led to the development of a novel synthetic dye with two diethylamino moieties in its structure, 7,4’-di(diethylamino)flavylium. This dye was tested as a potential photosensitizer for PDT of skin cancer. A single light dose of 22.5 J/cm2 efficiently killed SCC-25 (squamous cell carcinoma) and A375 (melanoma) cells, reducing cellular viability by more than 80% in the presence of the flavylium at 0.75 μM. Moreover, of the three prototype flavylium-loaded hydrogels, carbomer-based formulation stood out for its substantial absorbance and fluorescence increment and enhanced 1O2 photogeneration activity compared to the flavylium in aqueous solution. The findings of this study provide valuable insights concerning the potential of this flavylium dye as a candidate for photodynamic therapy of skin cancer and strongly support the need for further testing in more advanced biological settings to fully assess its efficacy and safety.

 

Journal: Scientific Reports

 

Link: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-80860-x