Search Results (2,438)

Municipal wastewaters pose a severe risk to the environment and human health when discharged untreated. This is due to their high content of pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria, which can cause diseases like cholera. Herein, the research and development of porphyrin-modified polyethersulfone (PES) ultrafiltration (UF) membranes was conducted to improve bacterial inactivation in complex municipal wastewater and enhance the fouling resistance and filtration performance. The synthesis and fabrication of porphyrin nanofillers and the resultant membrane characteristics were studied. The incorporation of porphyrin-based nanofillers improved the membrane’s hydrophilicity, morphology, and flux (247 Lm⁻² h⁻¹), with the membrane contact angle (CA) decreasing from 90° to ranging between 58° and 50°. The membrane performance was monitored for its flux, antifouling properties, reusability potential, municipal wastewater, and humic acid. The modified membranes demonstrated an effective application in wastewater treatment, achieving notable antibacterial activity, particularly under light exposure. The In-BP@SW/PES membrane demonstrated effective antimicrobial photodynamic effects against both Gram-positive S. aureus and Gram-negative E. coli. It achieved at least a 3-log reduction in bacterial viability, meeting Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards for efficient antimicrobial materials. Among the variants tested, membranes modified with In-PB@SW nanofillers exhibited superior antifouling properties with flux recovery ratios (FRRs) of 78.9% for the humic acid (HA) solution and 85% for the municipal wastewater (MWW), suggesting a strong potential for long-term filtration use. These results highlight the promise of porphyrin-functionalized membranes as multifunctional tools in advanced water treatment technologies. Full article

Phthalocyanines (Pcs) are well-established photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy, valued for their strong light absorption, high singlet oxygen generation, and photostability. Recent advances have focused on covalently conjugating Pcs, particularly zinc phthalocyanines (ZnPcs), with a wide range of small bioactive molecules to improve selectivity, efficacy, and multifunctionality. These conjugates combine light-activated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production with targeted delivery and controlled release, offering enhanced treatment precision and reduced off-target toxicity. Chemotherapeutic agent conjugates, including those with erlotinib, doxorubicin, tamoxifen, and camptothecin, demonstrate receptor-mediated uptake, pH-responsive release, and synergistic anticancer effects, even overcoming multidrug resistance. Beyond oncology, ZnPc conjugates with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, antiparasitics, and antidepressants extend photodynamic therapy’s scope to antimicrobial and site-specific therapies. Targeting moieties such as folic acid, biotin, arginylglycylaspartic acid (RGD) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) peptides, carbohydrates, and amino acids have been employed to exploit overexpressed receptors in tumors, enhancing cellular uptake and tumor accumulation. Fluorescent dye and porphyrinoid conjugates further enrich these systems by enabling imaging-guided therapy, efficient energy transfer, and dual-mode activation through pH or enzyme-sensitive linkers. Despite these promising strategies, key challenges remain, including aggregation-induced quenching, poor aqueous solubility, synthetic complexity, and interference with ROS generation. In this review, the examples of Pc-based conjugates were described with particular interest on the synthetic procedures and optical properties of targeted compounds. Full article

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

Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus are opportunistic pathogens that cause life-threatening infections. This study focused on using photodynamic inactivation (PDI) to eliminate mixed biofilms of C. albicans–S. aureus formed on poly (urethane) (PU) discs functionalized with a nanocomposite layer containing phloxine B (PhB). Additionally, the effect of PDI on the ALS3 and HWP1 genes of C. albicans was examined in mixed biofilms. Spectral analysis showed a continuous release of PhB from the nanocomposite in Mueller–Hinton broth within 48 h, with a released amount of PhB < 5% of the total amount. The anti-biofilm effectiveness of the light-activated nanocomposite with PhB showed a reduction in the survival rate of biofilm cells to 0.35% and 31.79% for S. aureus and C. albicans, respectively, compared to the control biofilm on PU alone. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the nanocomposite effectively reduced the colonization and growth of the mixed biofilm. While PDI reduced the regulation of the ALS3 gene, the HWP1 gene was upregulated. Nevertheless, the cell survival of the C. albicans–S. aureus biofilm was significantly reduced, showing great potential for the elimination of mixed biofilms. Full article

The emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance among pathogens are significantly reducing available therapeutic options, highlighting the urgent need for novel and complementary treatment strategies. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is a promising alternative approach that can overcome antimicrobial resistance through a multitarget mechanism of action, exerting direct bactericidal and fungicidal effects with minimal risk of resistance development. Although aPDT has shown efficacy against a variety of pathogens, data on its activity against large collections of clinical multidrug-resistant strains are still limited. In this study, we assessed the antimicrobial activity of the photosensitizer RLP068/Cl combined with a red light-emitting LED source at 630 nm (Molteni Farmaceutici, Italy) against a large panel of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial strains harboring relevant resistance traits and Candida species. Our results demonstrated the significant microbicidal activity of RLP068/Cl against all of the tested strains regardless of their resistance phenotype, with particularly prominent activity against Gram-positive bacteria (range of bactericidal concentrations 0.05–0.1 µM), which required significantly lower exposure to photosensitizer compared to Candida and Gram-negative species (range 5–20 µM). Overall, these findings support the potential use of RLP068/Cl-mediated aPDT as an effective therapeutic strategy for the management of localized infections caused by MDR organisms, particularly when conventional therapeutic options are limited. Full article

Cervical cancer represents a significant global health challenge. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) appears to be a promising, minimally invasive alternative to standard treatments. However, the clinical efficacy of PDT is sometimes limited by the low solubility and aggregation of photosensitizers, their non-selective distribution in the body, hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment, and limited light penetration. Recent advances in nanoparticle and nanocomposite platforms have addressed these challenges by integrating multiple functional components into a single delivery system. By encapsulating or conjugating photosensitizers in biodegradable matrices, such as mesoporous silica, organometallic structures and core–shell construct nanocarriers increase stability in water and extend circulation time, enabling both passive and active targeting through ligand decoration. Up-conversion and dual-wavelength responsive cores facilitate deep light conversion in tissues, while simultaneous delivery of hypoxia-modulating agents alleviates oxygen deprivation to sustain reactive oxygen species generation. Controllable “motor-cargo” constructs and surface modifications improve intratumoral diffusion, while aggregation-induced emission dyes and plasmonic elements support real-time imaging and quantitative monitoring of therapeutic response. Together, these multifunctional nanosystems have demonstrated potent cytotoxicity in vitro and significant tumor suppression in vivo in mouse models of cervical cancer. Combining targeted delivery, controlled release, hypoxia mitigation, and image guidance, engineered nanoparticles provide a versatile and powerful platform to overcome the current limitations of PDT and pave the way toward more effective, patient-specific treatments for cervical malignancies. Our review of the literature summarizes studies on nanoparticles and nanocomposites used in PDT monotherapy for cervical cancer, published between 2023 and July 2025. Full article

Introduction: Actinic cheilitis (AC) is a common precancerous condition affecting the lips, primarily caused by prolonged ultraviolet radiation exposure. Various treatment options are available. However, the optimal treatment approach remains a subject of debate. Objective: To summarize and compare practice-relevant interventions for AC. Materials and Methods: A pre-defined protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021225182). Systematic searches in Medline, Embase, and Central, along with manual trial register searches, identified studies reporting participant clearance rates (PCR) or recurrence rates (PRR). Quality assessment for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool 2. Uncontrolled studies were evaluated using the tool developed by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The generalized linear mixed model was used to pool proportions for uncontrolled studies. A pairwise meta-analysis for RCTs was applied, using the odds ratio (OR) as the effect estimate and the GRADE approach to evaluate the quality of the evidence. Adverse events were analyzed qualitatively. Results: A comprehensive inclusion of 36 studies facilitated an evaluation of 614 participants for PCR, and 430 patients for PRR. Diclofenac showed the lowest PCR (0.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.41; 0.66]), while CO₂ laser showed the highest PCR (0.97, 95% CI [0.90; 0.99]). For PRR, Er:YAG laser showed the highest rates (0.14, 95% CI [0.08; 0.21]), and imiquimod the lowest (0.00, 95% CI [0.00; 0.06]). In a pairwise meta-analysis, the OR indicated a lower recurrence rate for Er:YAG ablative fractional laser (AFL)-primed methyl-aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy (MAL-PDT) (Er:YAG AFL-PDT) compared to methyl-aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy (MAL-PDT) alone (OR = 0.22, 95% CI [0.06; 0.82]). The CO₂ laser showed fewer local side effects than the Er:YAG laser, while PDTs caused more skin reactions. Due to qualitative data, comparability was limited, highlighting the need for individualized treatment. Conclusions: This study provides a complete and up-to-date evidence synthesis of practice-relevant interventions for AC, identifying the CO₂ laser as the most effective treatment and regarding PCR and imiquimod as most effective concerning PRR. Full article

The aim of this work is to evaluate the effectiveness of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) against oral MDR (multi-drug-resistant) Candida spp. infections related to orthodontic treatment with palatal expanders through in vitro study. Methods: PDT protocol: Curcumin + H₂O₂ was used as a photosensitizer activated by a 460 nm diode LED lamp, with an 8 mm blunt tip for 2 min in each spot of interest. In vitro simulation: A palatal expander sterile device was inserted into a custom-designed orthodontic bioreactor, realized with 10 mL of Sabouraud dextrose broth plus 10% human saliva and infected with an MDR C. albicans clinical isolate CA95 strain to reproduce an oral palatal expander infection. After 48 h of incubation at 37 °C, the device was treated with the PDT protocol. Two samples before and 5 min after the PDT process were taken and used to contaminate a Petri dish with a Sabouraud field to evaluate Candida spp. CFUs (colony-forming units). Results: A nearly 99% reduction in C. albicans colonies in the palatal expander biofilm was found after PDT. Conclusion: The data showed the effectiveness of using aPDT to treat palatal infection; however, specific patient oral micro-environment reproduction (Ph values, salivary flow, mucosal adhesion of photosensitizer) must be further analyzed. Full article

The unique properties of phthalocyanines (Pcs), such as strong absorption, high photostability, effective singlet oxygen generation, low toxicity and biocompatibility, versatile chemical modifications, broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity, and synergistic effects with other treatment modalities, make them a preferred superior sensitizer in the field of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy. The photodynamic and sonodynamic activity of 3-(3-(diethylamino)phenoxy)propanoxy substituted silicon(IV) Pc were evaluated against bacteria and cancer cells. Stability and singlet oxygen generation upon light irradiation and ultrasound (1 MHz, 3 W) were assessed with 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran. The phthalocyanine revealed high photostability in DMF and DMSO, although the singlet oxygen yields under light irradiation were low. On the other hand, the phthalocyanine revealed excellent sonostability and caused a high rate of DPBF degradation upon excitation by ultrasounds at 1 MHz. The silicon phthalocyanine presented significant bacterial reduction growth, up to 5 log against MRSA and S. epidermidis upon light excitation, whereas the sonodynamic effect was negligible. The phthalocyanine revealed high activity in both photodynamic and sonodynamic manner toward hypopharyngeal tumor (FaDu, 95% and 42% reduction, respectively) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC-25, 96% and 62% reduction, respectively). The sensitizer showed ca. 30% aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibition in various concentrations and up to 85% platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase for 0.25 μM, while protease-activated protein C was stimulated up to 66% for 0.75 μM. Full article

Theranostic materials, which combine therapeutic and diagnostic capabilities, represent a promising advancement in cancer treatment by improving both the precision and personalization of therapies. Recently, metal peroxides (MePOs) have attracted significant interest from researchers for their potential use in both cancer diagnosis and therapy. This review provides an overview of recent developments in the application of MePOs for innovative cancer treatment strategies. The unique properties of MePOs, such as oxygen generation, are highlighted for their potential to improve therapeutic outcomes, especially in hypoxic tumor microenvironments. Initially, methods for MePO synthesis are briefly discussed, including hydrolyzation–precipitation, reversed-phase microemulsion, and sonochemical techniques, emphasizing the role of surfactants in regulating the particle size and enhancing bioactivity. Next, we discuss the main therapeutic approaches where MePOs have shown promise. These applications include chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy (PDT), immunotherapy, and radiation therapy. Overall, we focus on integrating MePOs into theranostic platforms to enhance cancer treatment and enable diagnostic imaging for improved clinical outcomes. Finally, we discuss potential future research directions that could lead to clinical translation and the development of advanced medicines. Full article

Background/Objectives: Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs), human serum albumin (HSA) and folic acid (FA) are prospective components for hybrid nanosystems for various biomedical applications. The magnetic nanosystems FA-HSA@IONPs (FAMs) containing IONPs, HSA, and FA residue are engineered in the study. Methods: Composition, stability and integrity of the coating, and peroxidase-like activity of FAMs are characterized using UV/Vis spectrophotometry (colorimetric test using o-phenylenediamine (OPD), Bradford protein assay, etc.), spectrofluorimetry, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and electron magnetic resonance (EMR). The selectivity of the FAMs accumulation in cancer cells is analyzed using flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Results: FAMs (d_N~55 nm by DLS) as a drug delivery platform have been administered to cancer cells (human breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines) in vitro. Methylene blue, as a model photosensitizer, has been non-covalently bound to FAMs. An increase in photoinduced cytotoxicity has been found upon excitation of the photosensitizer bound to the coating of FAMs compared to the single photosensitizer at equivalent concentrations. The suitability of the nanosystems for photodynamic therapy has been confirmed. Conclusions: FAMs are able to effectively enter cells with increased folate receptor expression and thus allow antitumor photosensitizers to be delivered to cells without any loss of their in vitro photodynamic efficiency. Therapeutic and diagnostic applications of FAMs in oncology are discussed. Full article

Background: The effect of antibiotics can be severely affected by external factors. Combining the oxidative impact of photodynamic therapy with antibiotics is largely unexplored, which may result in positive results with great impact on clinical applications. In particular, that can be relevant in the case of antibiotic resistance. Objectives: In this study, we examined the effects of aPDT using the photosensitizers (PSs), methylene blue (MB) or Photodithazine (PDZ), both alone and in combination with the antibiotics ciprofloxacin (CIP), gentamicin (GEN), and ceftriaxone (CEF), against the Gram-negative bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae. Methods: A standard suspension of K. pneumoniae was subjected to PDT with varying doses of MB and PDZ solutions, using a 75 mW/cm² LED emitting at 660 nm with an energy of 15 J/cm². The MICs of CIP, GEN, and CEF were determined using the broth dilution method. We also tested the photosensitizers MB or PDZ as potentiating agents for synergistic combinations with antibiotics CIP, GEN, and CEF against K. pneumoniae. Results: The results showed that MB was more effective in inhibiting survival and killing K. pneumoniae compared to PDZ. The tested antibiotics CIP, GEN, and CEF suppressed bacterial growth (as shown by reduced MIC values) and effectively killed K. pneumoniae (reduced Log CFU/mL). While antibiotic treatment or aPDT alone showed a moderate effect (1 Log₁₀ to 2 Log₁₀ CFU reduction) on killing K. pneumoniae, the combination therapy significantly increased bacterial death, resulting in a ≥3 Log₁₀ to 6 Log₁₀ CFU reduction. Conclusions: Our study indicates that pre-treating bacteria with PDT makes them more susceptible to antibiotics and could serve as an alternative for treating local infections caused by resistant bacteria or even reduce the required antibiotic dosage. This work explores numerous possible combinations of PDT and antibiotics, emphasizing their interdependence in controlling infections and the unique properties each PS-antibiotic combination offers. Clinical application for the combination is a promising reality since both are individually already adopted in clinical use. Full article

Despite advances in surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), 5-year survival rates remain at nearly 11%. Cholangiocarcinoma, while not as severe, also possesses similar survival rates. Fewer than 20% of patients are surgical candidates at time of diagnosis; therefore, it is imperative that alternative therapies are effective for non-surgical patients. There are several thermal ablative techniques, including radiofrequency ablation (RFA), high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), microwave ablation (MWA), alcohol ablation, stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), cryoablation, irreversible electroporation (IRE), biliary intraluminal brachytherapy, and biliary photodynamic therapy (PDT). Emerging literature in animal models and human patients has demonstrated that endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided RFA (EUS-RFA) prevents tumor progression through coagulative necrosis, protein denaturation, and activation of anticancer immunity in local and distant tumor tissue (abscopal effect). RFA treatment has been shown to not only reduce tumor-associated immunosuppressive cells but also increase functional T cells in distant tumor cells not treated with RFA. The remarkable ability to reduce tumor progression and promote tumor microenvironment (TME) remodeling makes RFA a very promising non-surgical therapy technique that has the potential to reduce mortality in this patient population. EUS-RFA offers superior precision and safety compared to other ablation techniques for pancreatic and biliary cancers, due to real-time imaging capabilities and minimally invasive nature. Future research should focus on optimizing RFA protocols, exploring combination therapies with chemotherapy or immunotherapy, and expanding its use in patients with metastatic disease. This review article will explore the current data and underlying pathophysiology of EUS-RFA while also highlighting the role of ablative therapies as a whole in immune activation response. Full article

Background: Singlet oxygen (¹O₂) generation in biological samples remains a significant challenge. Studying the mechanism of ¹O₂ action during photodynamic therapy (PDT) in atherosclerotic plaques in vitro represents an innovative cardiological approach. Atherosclerosis, a chronic and progressive disease, is characterized by plaque buildup inside arterial walls. Objectives: This study focused on the use of spin–lattice (T₁) and spin–spin (T₂) relaxation times measured by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) before and after the administration of indocyanine green-mediated PDT (ICG-PDT). Methods: To enhance visualization of morphological changes in atherosclerotic plaques, the clinically approved MRI contrast agent Gadovist was utilized. A total of 12 atherosclerotic plaque samples were collected from six patients undergoing endarterectomy. The generation of ¹O₂ in these plaques was assessed using quantitative MRI measurements and microscopic imaging, which visualized structural changes induced by PDT. Results: This research explores the potential of T₁ and T₂ relaxation times as indicators of PDT efficacy, while Gadovist helped provide evidence of ¹O₂ diffusion within the samples. Conclusions: Considering advancements in modern treatment, PDT may offer a novel approach for targeting atherosclerosis. Full article

Organic afterglow nanoparticles (OANs) represent a unique class of optical materials capable of sustaining luminescence after excitation cessation. Owing to their exceptional design flexibility, tunable optical properties, and favorable biosafety profiles, OAN-based afterglow imaging has emerged as an advanced modality in tumor diagnosis and therapy. These nanostructures demonstrate significant potential in guiding precision surgical interventions and real-time monitoring of tumor treatment, including photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, and immunotherapy. This review systematically analyzes and discusses the luminescence mechanisms of OANs under various excitation sources, with particular emphasis on recent developments in tumor detection and treatment. Additionally, we also discuss the current challenges and future perspectives of using these nanoparticles in this field. Full article