An updated overview on the development of new photosensitizers for anticancer photodynamic therapy

, belonging to the first generation of PS, is still widely used for the treatment of different kinds of cancers; however, it has several drawbacks that significantly limit its general clinical use. Consequently, there has been extensive research on the design of PS molecules with optimized pharmaceutical properties, with aiming of overcoming the disadvantages of traditional PS, such as poor chemical purity, long half-life, excessive accumulation into the skin, and low attenuation coefficients. The rational design of novel PS with desirable properties has attracted considerable research in the pharmaceutical field. This review presents an overview on the classical photosensitizers and the most significant…

• NS
  Natural Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars of Anhui Province

  Award: JQ201721
• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Award: 21672082
• CN
  Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico

  Award: 447.628/2014-3
• ST
  Shandong Talents Team Cultivation Plan of University Preponderant Discipline

  Award: 10027