Scientists from the Institute of Solution Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Ivanovo have developed a new light-sensitive porphyrin-based drug. Its distinctive feature is that it selectively acts on DNA in regions with a high concentration of adenine-thymine pairs.
When exposed to light, the substance causes irreversible damage to the DNA of cancer cells, hindering their growth and reproduction. No such targeted photosensitizer has previously been used in clinical practice.
The new development could help overcome limitations of existing drugs such as Verteporfin, thanks to its improved solubility and bioavailability. It opens up prospects for developing controllable and safe therapies.
Russian Science Foundation
