Targeted cancer therapy using compounds activated by light

Dunkel, Petra (author), Ilaš, Janez (author)

Cancer chemotherapy is affected by a modest selectivity and toxic side effects of pharmacological interventions. Among novel approaches to overcome this limitation and to bring to therapy more potent and selective agents is the use of light for selective activation of anticancer compounds. In this review, we focus on the anticancer applications of two light-activated approaches still in the experimental phase: photoremovable protecting groups (''photocages'') and photoswitches. We describe the structural considerations behind the development of novel compounds and the plethora of assays used to confirm whether the photochemical and pharmacological properties are meeting the stringent criteria for an efficient in vivo light-dependent activation. Despite its immense potential, light activation brings many challenges, and the complexity of the task is very demanding. Currently, we are still deeply in the phase of pharmacological tools, but the vivid research and rapid development bring the light of hope for potential clinical use.

• Language: English
• Keywords: photocages, photoswitches, photopharmacology, light-activatable materials, photoresponsive drug delivery systems, azobenzenes
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.02 - Review Article
• Organization: FFA - Faculty of Pharmacy
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2021
• Number of pages: 49 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 13, iss. 13, art. 3237
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-135435
• UDC: 615.015.14
• ISSN on article: 2072-6694
• DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133237
• COBISS.SI-ID: 69036803
• Publication date in RUL: 15.03.2022

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Cancers
• Shortened title: Cancers
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 2072-6694
• COBISS.SI-ID: 517914137

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.
• Licensing start date: 01.07.2021

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: azobenzeni, fotostikala, svetlobno aktivirani materiali, fotoodzivni dostavni sistemi, fotofarmakologija, dostavni sistemi, fotokemijske reakcije, rak