ResearchVFM

Researchers are driven by the goal of improving society's well-being, particularly by enhancing the effectiveness of medical treatments without increasing healthcare costs. Cancer is a significant global public health challenge, and various therapies, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, and photodynamic therapy (PDT), are available for its treatment. PDT, in particular, stands out due to its highly localized effect, using non-toxic photosensitizers (PSs) activated by light to induce cell death specifically in the irradiated area. However, the need for external irradiation limits its applicability to superficial tumors.

This project proposes an innovative approach to extend PDT's utility to internal and larger tumors by utilizing an endogenous excitation light source through bioluminescence energy transfer (BRET). By harnessing bioluminescent mechanisms involving luciferin and luciferase reactions, photons of light are generated and absorbed by Ir(III)-based PSs to activate them and produce toxic species. This approach promises to make PDT suitable for a broader range of cancer types. 

One of our aims is the design of metallic species with improved photocytotoxic activity and luminescent tags to track their progress within cells. This approach would provide insights into accumulation, biomolecule interactions, and target localization, enabling the development of precise medications that specifically target tumor cells and mitochondria. The project's key focus is on species capable of distinguishing between two irradiation wavelengths, using UV-visible irradiation for tracking by fluorescence microscopy and visible-NIR for photodynamic therapy. The initial design approach involves combining an organic chromophore with a photoactive metal complex, leveraging their complementary photophysical properties.