Biological activities of phthalocyanines--XI. Phototoxicity of sulfonated aluminum naphthalocyanines towards V-79 Chinese hamster cells

Design features for optimization of tetrapyrrole macrocycles as antimicrobial and anticancer photosensitizers

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses non-toxic dyes called photosensitizers (PS) and harmless visible light that combine to form highly toxic reactive oxygen species that kill cells. Originally, a cancer therapy, PDT, now includes applications for infections. The most widely studied PS are tetrapyrrole macrocycles including porphyrins, chlorins, bacteriochlorins, and phthalocyanines. The present review covers the design features in PS that can work together to maximize the PDT activity for various disease targets. Photophysical and photochemical properties include the wavelength and size of the long-wavelength absorption peak (for good light penetration into tissue), the triplet quantum yield and lifetime, and the propensity to undergo type I (electron transfer) or type II (energy transfer) photochemical mechanisms. The central metal in the tetrapyrrole macrocycle has a strong influence on the PDT activity. Hydrophobicity and charge are important factors that govern interactions with various types of cells (cancer and microbial) in vitro and the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution in vivo. Hydrophobic structures tend to be water insoluble and require a drug delivery vehicle for maximal activity. Molecular asymmetry and amphiphilicity are also important for high activity. In vivo some structures possess the ability to selectively accumulate in tumors and to localize in the tumor microvasculature producing vascular shutdown after illumination.

Non-monotonic changes in clonogenic cell survival induced by disulphonated aluminum phthalocyanine photodynamic treatment in a human glioma cell line

BACKGROUND

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) involves excitation of sensitizer molecules by visible light in the presence of molecular oxygen, thereby generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) through electron/energy transfer processes. The ROS, thus produced can cause damage to both the structure and the function of the cellular constituents resulting in cell death. Our preliminary investigations of dose-response relationships in a human glioma cell line (BMG-1) showed that disulphonated aluminum phthalocyanine (AlPcS2) photodynamically induced loss of cell survival in a concentration dependent manner up to 1 microM, further increases in AlPcS2concentration (>1 microM) were, however, observed to decrease the photodynamic toxicity. Considering the fact that for most photosensitizers only monotonic dose-response (survival) relationships have been reported, this result was unexpected. The present studies were, therefore, undertaken to further investigate the concentration dependent photodynamic effects of AlPcS2.

METHODS

Concentration-dependent cellular uptake, sub-cellular localization, proliferation and photodynamic effects of AlPcS2 were investigated in BMG-1 cells by absorbance and fluorescence measurements, image analysis, cell counting and colony forming assays, flow cytometry and micronuclei formation respectively.

RESULTS

The cellular uptake as a function of extra-cellular AlPcS2 concentrations was observed to be biphasic. AlPcS2 was distributed throughout the cytoplasm with intense fluorescence in the perinuclear regions at a concentration of 1 microM, while a weak diffuse fluorescence was observed at higher concentrations. A concentration-dependent decrease in cell proliferation with accumulation of cells in G2+M phase was observed after PDT. The response of clonogenic survival after AlPcS2-PDT was non-monotonic with respect to AlPcS2 concentration.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results we conclude that concentration-dependent changes in physico-chemical properties of sensitizer such as aggregation may influence intracellular transport and localization of photosensitizer. Consequent modifications in the photodynamic induction of lesions and their repair leading to different modes of cell death may contribute to the observed non-linear effects.

Unsymmetrically substituted benzonaphthoporphyrazines: a new class of cationic photosensitizers for the photodynamic therapy of cancer

Unsymmetrical zinc(II) complexes of benzonaphthoporphyrazines 5a-12a bearing between one and eight pyridyloxy substituents are synthesized by statistical tetramerization of 6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2,3-naphthalenedicarbonitrile (1) with 4-(3-pyridyloxy)- or 4,5-bis-(3-pyridyloxy)-1,2-benzenedicarbonitrile (2, 3). Methylation of 5a-12a leads to the catianic pyridyloxybenzonaphthoporphyrazines 5b-12b having between one to eight positive charges. The Q-band transition in the visible spectra exhibits a bathochromic shift from 680 to 760 nm dependent upon the number of annelated naphthalene rings. The singlet oxygen quantum yields of the benzonaphthoporphyrazines determined by the dye-sensitized photooxidation of 1,3-diphenylisobenzofurane is surprisingly high (in the range of zinc phthalocyanine). The photooxidative stabilities of the photosensitizers described quantitatively by first-order kinetics decrease with the number of annelated naphtho groups. A linear correlation between the logarithm of the decomposition rate constant and the position of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)-level of the photosensitizers is found. Destabilization of the HOMO leads to a decrease of the photostability. Due to their adjustable long wavelength absorption, their intramolecular polarity axis and their different hydrophilic/hydrophobic character, these novel compounds may be suitable photosensitizers for the photodynamic therapy of cancer.

Tetraamido-substituted 2,3-naphthalocyanine zinc(II) complexes as phototherapeutic agents: synthesis, comparative photochemical and photobiological studies

The aim of this study is to report the synthesis and photochemical and phototherapeutic activities of tetraamido-substituted 2,3-naphthalocyanine zinc(II) complexes (ZnNcs 5-8). Four naphthalocyanine complexes, tetrabenzamido- (ZnNc 5), tetramethoxybenzamido- (ZnNc 6), tetrahexylamido- (ZnNc 7) and tetradodecylamido- (ZnNc 8) naphthalocyanine zinc complexes absorbing at around 770 nm were synthesized. The dye-sensitized photo-oxidation of 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran via 1O2 was studied in more detail in order to compare the quantum yields of these different sensitizers. Pharmacokinetic and photodynamic therapy studies of Lewis lung carcinoma in mice were carried out after administration of liposome incorporated ZnNcs 5-8. The phototherapeutic efficiency was evaluated by changes in the mean tumour diameter with time, regrowth delay (days), average survival time (days) and electron microscopy observations. According to all assessment criteria used, the most promising photosensitizer seems to be tetrabenzamido-substituted ZnNc 5. We suggest that mainly structural properties are the reason for the better results observed. The morphological analysis confirms the mechanism of photonecrosis, which was observed in our previous work with unsubstituted and substituted ZnNcs 1-4. Direct photodamage to the membrane, mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum in the neoplastic cells and delayed photodestruction of the endothelial cells surrounding the tumour tissue were detected. Also, changes in lysosomes were observed. The data presented through different parameters are compared with such obtained for other photodynamic therapy sensitizers.

Pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies of the photosensitizer bis(di-isobutyl octadecylsiloxy)silicon 2,3-naphthalocyanine (isoBOSINC) in normal and tumor-bearing rats

Bis(di-isobutyl octadecylsiloxy)silicon 2,3-naphthalocyanine (isoBOSINC) is a representative of a group of naphthalocyanine derivatives with spectral and photophysical properties that make them attractive candidates for photodynamic therapy (PDT). Tissue distributions were studied in normal and in tumor-bearing rats as a function of time following intravenous injection of isoBOSINC as a suspension in 10% Tween 80 in saline. The dose studied was 0.25 mg/kg of body weight. The compound isoBOSINC was isolated from several tissues and organs, as well as tumors and peritumoral muscles and skin, and quantitated by a high-performance liquid chromatographic technique. The tumor model, an N-(4-[5-nitro-2-furyl]-2-thiazolyl)formamide (FANFT)-induced urothelial cell carcinoma, was transplanted into the hind legs of Fischer 344 rats. The dye was retained in tumors at higher concentrations than in all tissues and organs examined, except for spleen and liver. The highest concentration ratio of dye in tumor versus peritumoral muscle (24.5) occurred 9 h after injection. Serum clearance of isoBOSINC showed similar kinetic behavior for both groups of rats, with a t 1/2 of elimination of approximately 10 h. At 7 and 14 days postinjection, the levels of dye found in testes were generally higher than in most other tissues, except spleen and liver. Concentrations of isoBOSINC were either very low or not detectable in rat brain. Trace amounts of the dye were excreted in the urine, and by day 14 approximately 17% of the dose was accounted for in the feces. The significant levels of the drug in tumors, as well as the excellent ratios of tumor-to-muscle concentration observed, have promising implications for PDT of tumors.

Liposome-delivered Zn(II)-2,3-naphthalocyanines as potential sensitizers for PDT: synthesis, photochemical, pharmacokinetic and phototherapeutic studies

The aim of this investigation is to report the synthesis and fundamental photochemical properties of naphthalocyanines with potential interest for photodynamic therapy (PDT), as well as their pharmacokinetics and phototherapeutic effects in a tumor model. Four zinc naphthalocyanines (ZnNc), unsubstituted ZnNc 1, tetraacetylamido-substituted ZnNc 2, tetraamino-substituted ZnNc 3 and tetramethoxy-substituted ZnNc 4 absorbing around 760-770 nm, were synthesized. The dye-sensitized photo-oxidation of 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran via 1O2 was studied in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). Quantum yields for this photoreaction are 0.135-0.164 and are relatively independent of the kind of substituent. In addition, the photoinduced electron transfer studied in N,N-dimethylformamide-water in the presence of methylviologen and mercaptoethanol is only slightly influenced by the kind of substituent. The pharmacokinetic properties of ZnNc 1 in hamsters bearing a transplanted rhabdomyosarcoma were studied using dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine liposomes. Experimental PDT of rhabdomyosarcoma was carried out using liposome-delivered ZnNc 1-4. The phototherapeutic effect was evaluated by tumor photonecrosis, the mean tumor diameter during the observation period and the percentage of cured animals. The best effect was found after PDT with ZnNc 2 (50% of the treated animals were cured). A slightly lower effect was observed after application of ZnNc 4 (40% cured animals). No effect at all was noted after PDT with ZnNc 3 and a very low efficiency was found after treatment with ZnNc 1 as photosensitizer. Obviously, the photodynamic effect depends on the biological characteristics as well as on the nature of the substituents.

Photodynamic properties of naphthosulfobenzoporphyrazines, novel asymmetric, amphiphilic phthalocyanine derivatives

Metallo naphthosulfobenzoporphyrazines sulfonated to different degrees (M-NSBP) were prepared, and their potential as photosensitizers for the photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancer was evaluated. M-NSBP can be viewed as hybrid molecules between sulfophthalocyanines and naphthalocyanines resulting in distinct differences in the absorption spectra between the mono-through tetrasulfonated derivatives. This feature greatly facilited their purification. Using V-79 Chinese hamster cells in vitro, the disulfonated derivatives were found slightly more photoactive than the hydrophilic trisulfonated derivatives while the monosulfonated derivative was inactive, in spite of a sixfold higher cell uptake. In the case of the di- and trisulfonated derivatives, differences in phototoxicity correlated well with their relative cell uptake. Substitution of Al for Zn had little effect on the extent of phototoxicity of the M-NSBP. In vitro PDT of the EMT-6 cells after in vivo dye administration, revealed a similar potency for direct cell killing between the di- and trisulfonated AlOH-NSBP, while the monosulfonated analog was inactive. PDT with the amphiphilic disulfonated AlOH-NSBP on the EMT-6 mammary tumor in BALB/c mice induced a significant tumor response, while the monosulfonated derivative was much less active.

Photosensitizers for tumor therapy: determination of bis(di-isobutyl octadecylsiloxy)silicon 2,3-naphthalocyanine (isoBOSINC) in rat tissue and serum by high-performance liquid chromatography

Bis(di-isobutyl octadecylsiloxy)silicon 2,3-naphthalocyanine (isoBOSINC) is a synthetic potential photosensitizer for tumor therapy. A new method, which combines solvent extraction and several purification steps, has been developed to determine its presence in tissues. Separation and quantitation of isoBOSINC is done by high-performance liquid chromatography on a silica column with toluene as a mobile phase and using fluorescence detection (lambda ex = 365 nm, lambda em = 750 nm). For recovery studies, isoBOSINC was added to muscles at levels of 0.067 and 0.67 micrograms/g; the mean recoveries were 100%, with coefficients of variation of 6.1 and 6.4%, respectively. For liver samples, the amounts added were 0.67 and 6.7 micrograms/g and for serum 0.67 and 6.70 micrograms/ml. The mean recoveries for liver were 86 and 93%, with coefficients of variation of 7.7 and 4.4%, respectively. For serum, the mean recoveries were 99 and 96%, with coefficients of variation of 2.6 and 6.9%, respectively. Due to its low detection limit and selectivity, the method is appropriate for pharmacokinetic as well as tumor uptake studies following in vivo exposure to isoBOSINC. Preliminary data on tissue distribution of the photosensitizer in normal rats are also presented.

Biodistribution and tumor uptake of [67Ga]chlorogallium-tetraoctadecyloxy phthalocyanine and its sulfonation products in tumor bearing C3H mice

To evaluate the biodistribution and tumor uptake of chlorogallium tetraoctadecycloxy phthalocyanine, a potential new drug for the photodynamic therapy of cancer, we prepared the radioactive 67Ga-labeled complex and its water soluble sulfonated derivative. The non-sulfonated dye was obtained by condensation of octadecyloxyphthalonitrile in the presence of a mixture of 67Ga and 69Ga chloride. The sulfonated derivative was obtained by treatment of the condensation product with oleum. As singlet molecular oxygen has been implicated in the photodynamic action of phthalocyanines (Pcs), the quantum yield of singlet oxygen (phi delta) was evaluated for chlorogallium tetraoctadecyloxy Pc, and also its zinc, aluminum and metal free analogues. After intraperitoneal administration of the non-sulfonated dye into RIF tumor bearing C3H mice, a very high 67Ga-uptake was observed in the spleen, while tumor radioactivity remained low during the 3 day study. The in vivo stability of the 67Ga-phthalocyanine complex was confirmed by comparing the distribution pattern with that of 67Ga-citrate, which proved to be significantly different. Intravenous injection of the sulfonated dye resulted in an overall lowering of 67Ga-uptake by most tissues, particularly in the spleen, while tumor radioactivities were slightly higher. These data suggest that amphiphilic photosensitizers, containing both polar sulfonate groups and long aliphatic substituents, exhibit the best distribution pattern for both imaging and photodynamic therapy of tumors.