Effects of metalation on the PDT activity of arene ruthenium porphyrin-based photosensitizers

Nowadays, prostate cancer is a major health issue, it is currently the second most common cancer in men worldwide with 1,414,259 cases (source Globocan 2020). Nevertheless, many existing treatments coupled with early detection allow a good management of the disease. Despite therapeutic advances, cancer relapse and many side effects are often observed. In order to improve patient's quality of life, we used new adjuvant therapy like photodynamic therapy (PDT) [1]. Because PDT is a localized therapy, an enhancement in the quality of life of patients with a reduction in side effects has been observed during clinical trials [2]. Many of the 2nd and 3rd generation photosensitizers (PS) are poorly soluble in aqueous media, which hinders the intracellular internalization of PS and therefore does not favor a strong induction of the apoptotic process. In collaboration with the University of Neuchatel and the team of Pr Therrien, we developed and tested a 3rd generation of PS vectorized by arene-ruthenium complexes [3].