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Pharmaceutics
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“The Power of Light” in Biomedical and Pharmaceutics: New Approaches...
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“The Power of Light” in Biomedical and Pharmaceutics: New Approaches for Photodynamic Purposes

A Special Issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923) belonging to the section "Drug Targeting and Design".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 February 2027 | Viewed by 9163

Editors

Dr. Lucinda V. Reis

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Guest Editor
CQ-VR—Chemistry Centre of Vila Real, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Interests: squaraine dyes; croconaine dyes; photosensitizers; fluorescent probes; medicinal chemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Eurico Lima

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
CQ-VR—Chemistry Centre of Vila Real, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Interests: dye chemistry; photosensitizers; photodynamic therapy; chemical biology; photobiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

More than a century ago, the Swiss physician and naturopath Arnold Rickly famously stated "Water is good, air is better, and light is the best of all". What was once a philosophical reflection on the healing power of nature has now found solid ground in modern science.

Nowadays, light is no longer just a symbol of life and vitality: it is a precise, controllable tool with extensive therapeutic potential. Among the most exciting advances in this field is photodynamic therapy (PDT), a technique that harnesses the interplay between light and photosensitizers (PSs) to trigger localized biological effects. With its origins in oncology, PDT is now making waves far beyond cancer treatment, offering new possibilities in antimicrobial strategies, dermatology, ophthalmology, and even pharmaceutical delivery systems.

This Special Issue, “The Power of Light” in Biomedical and Pharmaceutics: New Approaches for Photodynamic Purposes, invites original research articles and reviews highlighting recent innovations in photodynamic strategies. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the development of novel PSs and PS-based systems, advanced light-delivery technologies, mechanistic insights, and interdisciplinary applications across biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences.

We look forward to receiving your contributions and to shedding light, both literally and figuratively, on the exciting boundaries of photodynamic knowledge. Pharmaceutics invites submissions related to drug delivery systems and innovative formulations, while Biomedicine encourages contributions centered on biological aspects.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Biomedicines.

Dr. Lucinda V. Reis
Dr. Eurico Lima
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceutics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • light
  • photosensitizers
  • photochemistry
  • photobiology
  • photodynamic therapy

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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32 pages, 11925 KB  
Article
Ferroptosis with Contributions from Apoptosis and Necroptosis in Porphyrazine III-Based Photodynamic Therapy of Primary Human Gliomas
by Ekaterina Sleptsova, Alina Khuzina, Daria Sachkova, Diana Yuzhakova, Yevgeniya Sannova, Konstantin Yashin, Nina Peskova, Svetlana Lermontova, Ilya Shchechkin, Larisa Klapshina, Irina Balalaeva and Victoria Turubanova
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(6), 705; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18060705 - 8 Jun 2026
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 799
Abstract
Background: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) leading to immunogenic cell death (ICD) may serve as a promising basis for the development of antitumor therapeutic strategies. However, the mechanisms of action of photoinduced ICD in primary tumor cultures, including human glioma, remain unexplored. Methods: [...] Read more.
Background: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) leading to immunogenic cell death (ICD) may serve as a promising basis for the development of antitumor therapeutic strategies. However, the mechanisms of action of photoinduced ICD in primary tumor cultures, including human glioma, remain unexplored. Methods: In the present study, the features of regulated cell death induced by photodynamic therapy using a previously described ICD inducer, porphyrazine III (pz III), were investigated. Cell death was studied in 7 primary cultures of high-grade human gliomas (astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, and glioblastomas). Results: Accumulation of porphyrazine III was observed in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and mitochondria; however, the distribution of the photosensitizer varied across different cultures. A narrow concentration window of porphyrazine III was established to effectively reach IC85, primarily inducing ferroptosis with contributions from apoptosis and necroptosis accompanied by superoxide anion generation and mitochondrial dysfunction. Conclusions: Given the immunogenic potential of ferroptosis, apoptosis and necroptosis we hypothesize that the induction of PDT using porphyrazine III in glioma will trigger immunogenic cell death. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue “The Power of Light” in Biomedical and Pharmaceutics: New Approaches for Photodynamic Purposes)
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28 pages, 3583 KB  
Article
Activatable Silicon-Xanthene Photosensitizer for Photodynamic Therapy of Glioblastoma
by Osman Karaman, Dilay Kepil, Mehrdad Forough, Zubeyir Elmazoglu and Gorkem Gunbas
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(4), 420; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18040420 - 29 Mar 2026
Viewed by 1428
Abstract
Background: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) offers a promising complementary strategy for treating glioblastoma multiforme (GBM); however, limited control over photosensitizer activation and reduced efficacy under hypoxic conditions remain significant limitations. Methods: In this study, we present the synthesis and functional evaluation of Gal-SiX, [...] Read more.
Background: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) offers a promising complementary strategy for treating glioblastoma multiforme (GBM); however, limited control over photosensitizer activation and reduced efficacy under hypoxic conditions remain significant limitations. Methods: In this study, we present the synthesis and functional evaluation of Gal-SiX, an enzymatically activatable Si-xanthene-based activatable PDT agent designed to address these challenges. Prepared via an improved 10-step synthetic route, Gal-SiX exhibits clear turn-on fluorescence and absorbance responses upon β-galactosidase activation and efficiently generates reactive oxygen species in aqueous media. Results: Mechanistic studies revealed that Gal-SiX enables both Type I and Type II PDT pathways, a favorable feature for GBM environments characterized by restricted oxygen availability. In vitro assays conducted on U87MG glioblastoma cells and L929 healthy fibroblasts demonstrated light-dependent cytotoxicity, with IC50 values of 3.30 μM and 7.19 μM, respectively. Gal-SiX also showed minimal dark toxicity (>80 μM) and potent light-induced cytotoxicity, yielding a phototoxicity index of 24.8 in glioblastoma cells. Confocal imaging and MTT assays consistently confirmed enzymatic activation and effective PDT response at the cellular level. Conclusions: Overall, this work introduces the first activatable Si-xanthene-based PDT agent for glioblastoma and provides the first evidence that the Si-xanthene scaffold can support dual Type I/II phototoxicity. These results underscore Gal-SiX’s potential as a PDT platform for addressing the unique constraints of GBM biology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue “The Power of Light” in Biomedical and Pharmaceutics: New Approaches for Photodynamic Purposes)
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12 pages, 1437 KB  
Article
Enhancement and Limitations of Green-Spectrum Dual-Wavelength Irradiation in Porphyrin-Based Antimicrobial Strategies Targeting Cutibacterium acnes subsp. elongatum
by Robin Haag, Oksana Gurow, Moritz Mack, Jörg Moisel and Martin Hessling
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(1), 72; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18010072 - 5 Jan 2026
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1282
Abstract
Background: Phototherapy utilizes targeted irradiation to inactivate bacteria or treat various medical conditions. Depending on the therapeutic goal, wavelengths from violet to infrared (IR) are applied. Within the visible and near-IR spectrum, photodynamic therapy (PDT) combines light with photosensitizers that generate reactive oxygen [...] Read more.
Background: Phototherapy utilizes targeted irradiation to inactivate bacteria or treat various medical conditions. Depending on the therapeutic goal, wavelengths from violet to infrared (IR) are applied. Within the visible and near-IR spectrum, photodynamic therapy (PDT) combines light with photosensitizers that generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to bacterial inactivation. Optimizing photodynamic efficacy can involve either enhancing ROS formation through specific topical agents that modulate ROS generation or employing dual-wavelength light irradiation (DWLR) to achieve synergistic excitation. Established DWLR protocols typically combine blue and red light or IR to activate distinct photosensitizers. Materials and Methods: This study investigates whether a similar synergistic effect can be achieved within the green spectral range by simultaneously exciting a single photosensitizer—coproporphyrin III (CP III)—at 496 nm and 547 nm. Results: Convolution analysis and in vitro bacterial reduction experiments with Cutibacterium acnes subsp. elongatum revealed that cyan irradiation (496 nm) achieved the strongest photoreduction (2.31 log steps at 1620 J/cm2), whereas PC-lime irradiation (547 nm) produced a smaller effect (0.74 log steps). DWLR protocols (simultaneous and sequential irradiation) resulted in intermediate reductions (1.64 and 1.73 log steps, respectively), exceeding PC-lime but not surpassing cyan irradiation alone. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that excitation efficiency at the local absorption maximum of CP III is the primary determinant of ROS generation, while spectral broadening through DWLR does not enhance bacterial inactivation within this wavelength range and in vitro setup. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue “The Power of Light” in Biomedical and Pharmaceutics: New Approaches for Photodynamic Purposes)
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12 pages, 2722 KB  
Article
Uniform Cu-Based Metal–Organic Framework Micrometer Cubes with Synergistically Enhanced Photodynamic/Photothermal Properties for Rapid Eradication of Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria
by Xiaomei Wang, Ting Zou, Weiqi Wang, Keqiang Xu and Handong Zhang
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(8), 1018; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17081018 - 6 Aug 2025
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1317
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The rapid emergence of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections demands innovative non-antibiotic therapeutic strategies. Dual-modal photoresponse therapy integrating photodynamic (PDT) and photothermal (PTT) effects offers a promising rapid antibacterial approach, yet designing single-material systems with synergistic enhancement remains challenging. This study aims to [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The rapid emergence of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections demands innovative non-antibiotic therapeutic strategies. Dual-modal photoresponse therapy integrating photodynamic (PDT) and photothermal (PTT) effects offers a promising rapid antibacterial approach, yet designing single-material systems with synergistic enhancement remains challenging. This study aims to develop uniform Cu-based metal–organic framework micrometer cubes (Cu-BN) for efficient PDT/PTT synergy. Methods: Cu-BN cubes were synthesized via a one-step hydrothermal method using Cu(NO3)2 and 2-amino-p-benzoic acid. The material’s dual-mode responsiveness to visible light (420 nm) and near-infrared light (808 nm) was characterized through UV–Vis spectroscopy, photothermal profiling, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation assays. Antibacterial efficacy against multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) was quantified via colony counting under dual-light irradiation. Results: Under synergistic 420 + 808 nm irradiation for 15 min, Cu-BN (200 μg/mL) achieved rapid eradication of multidrug-resistant E. coli (99.94%) and S. aureus (99.83%). The material reached 58.6 °C under dual-light exposure, significantly exceeding single-light performance. Photodynamic analysis confirmed a 78.7% singlet oxygen (1O2) conversion rate. This enhancement stems from PTT-induced membrane permeabilization accelerating ROS diffusion, while PDT-generated ROS sensitized bacteria to thermal damage. Conclusions: This integrated design enables spatiotemporal PDT/PTT synergy within a single Cu-BN system, establishing a new paradigm for rapid-acting, broad-spectrum non-antibiotic antimicrobials. The work provides critical insights for developing light-responsive biomaterials against drug-resistant infections. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue “The Power of Light” in Biomedical and Pharmaceutics: New Approaches for Photodynamic Purposes)
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Review

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44 pages, 20489 KB  
Review
Photo- and Immunotherapy Interface: Can Dendritic Cell Vaccines Overcome the Limitations of PDT?
by Natalia Shilyagina, Yevgeniya Sannova, Victoria Turubanova and Irina Balalaeva
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(5), 588; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18050588 - 10 May 2026
Viewed by 1351
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) occupies an important place in the arsenal of cancer treatment modalities; however, its efficacy is primarily limited by the local nature of its effects and by tumor cell resistance. The aim of this review is to analyze the fundamental principles [...] Read more.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) occupies an important place in the arsenal of cancer treatment modalities; however, its efficacy is primarily limited by the local nature of its effects and by tumor cell resistance. The aim of this review is to analyze the fundamental principles and biological consequences of PDT, to summarize current data on the molecular and cellular mechanisms determining its efficacy, and to consider strategies for overcoming its limitations. Particular attention is paid to the mechanisms underlying resistance development and to the role of switching from non-immunogenic to immunogenic cell death in shaping the antitumor response. The potential integration of PDT with dendritic cell vaccination is considered a promising strategy for overcoming these limitations. The potential of vaccine-based approaches to activate specific antitumor immunity in aggressive cancers is highlighted, with emphasis on the advantages of dendritic cell vaccines in addressing the limitations of conventional PDT. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue “The Power of Light” in Biomedical and Pharmaceutics: New Approaches for Photodynamic Purposes)
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35 pages, 968 KB  
Review
Advancing Lung Cancer Treatment: A Comprehensive Review of Photodynamic Therapy and Nanoparticle Applications
by Andreea Moise-Crintea, Anne-Marie Constantin, Elena Mihaela Jianu, Ioana Maria Orlea, Minodora Manea, Roxana Oana Cojocariu, Rahela Carpa, Bogdan-Andrei Borlea, Cristina-Maria Boznea, Razvan Lucian Coseriu and Alina Sovrea
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(12), 1579; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17121579 - 8 Dec 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2125
Abstract
Lung cancer remains a significant global health challenge. The high mortality rate is primarily caused by late diagnoses and the limitations of conventional therapies. Photodynamic therapy (PDT), which uses photosensitizing compounds, specific wavelengths of light, and oxygen to generate cytotoxic reactive oxygen species [...] Read more.
Lung cancer remains a significant global health challenge. The high mortality rate is primarily caused by late diagnoses and the limitations of conventional therapies. Photodynamic therapy (PDT), which uses photosensitizing compounds, specific wavelengths of light, and oxygen to generate cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) that selectively destroy cancer cells, has emerged as a promising, minimally invasive alternative. Despite its advantages, traditional PDT has limitations. These include the limited penetration depth of light and the hypoxic nature of the tumor microenvironment. Nanotechnology has transformed PDT by enabling the precise delivery of photosensitizers, improving their stability, overcoming physiological barriers, and allowing for deeper tissue targeting. This review analyzes the molecular mechanisms of PDT, the evolution of photosensitizer and nanoparticle design, strategies to overcome PDT limitations, and the impact of the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, the potential of combining PDT with other cancer therapies, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, radiotherapy, and gene therapy, is being investigated. While preclinical successes are remarkable, clinical implementation of nanoparticle-based PDT faces complex regulatory pathways, manufacturing scalability challenges, and the need for robust long-term safety data. Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and biomarker discovery will accelerate the development of personalized treatments and usher in a new era of targeted oncology for lung cancer patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue “The Power of Light” in Biomedical and Pharmaceutics: New Approaches for Photodynamic Purposes)
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