Novel non-aggregated NIR-excitable photosensitizing phthalocyanines derivatives with high singlet oxygen generation ability: encapsulation into tumor-targeting biocompatible poly(benzylmalate) nanoparticles and study of their anticancer photodynamic efficiency

TÜBİTAK Uluslararası İkili İşbirliği Projesi, 2021 - 2023

This project aims at producing novel phthalocyanine-based NIR photosensitizing nanoparticles with

high singlet oxygen generation capacity for targeted anti-cancer photodynamic therapy. The

scientific excellence of this project is evidenced by the rational design of the phthalocyanines (all

final structures being novel) and of the nanoparticles themselves, consisting of biocompatible

copolymers for tumor-targeting drug delivery, thanks to the insertion of targeting moieties and the

Enhanced Permeation and Retention effect.

The methodology has been splitted into four work packages (WPs), organized in full compliance of

the perfect complementarity of both teams. Two WPs will be completed in Turkey: WP1 - Synthesis

of targeted original NIR-absorbing phthalocyanines and WP3 - Photophysical and photochemical

characterization of the phthalocyanines and of the phthalocyanine-loaded nanoparticles. The two

other WPs will be completed in France: WP2 - Preparation of nanoparticles based on poly(benzyl

malate) derivatives and phthalocyanines encapsulation and WP4 - Biological evaluation of the

photodynamic efficiency of the phthalocyanines-loaded nanoparticles.

The project management has been carefully organized, and both teams have gathered the

expertises necessary to the success of the project. The decision-making scheme has been shaped

for all aspects of the projects (scientific, student recruitment and supervision, travel organization,

publication strategy).

The importance of this international collaboration is evidenced by the perfect complementarity of

both teams, and the fact that no one of their expertise is available in the other country. The Turkish

team (PI: Assist. Prof. Emel Önal Dumanoğlu and associate researcher Prof. Dr. Devrim Atilla) has an

internationally recognized expertise in the chemistry of phthalocyanines and photosensitisers for

anti-cancer photodynamic therapy. On the other hand, the French team has a unique expertise in

the use of poly(benzylmalate) copolymers for drug encapsulation and drug delivery. These

expertises have never been combined so far and this project is an exciting opportunity to produce

significant contribution in the field.

Given the public health, social and economic importance of the burden caused by cancer, which is

one of the major death causes worldwide, the impact of this project is huge as it shall allow to

produce anticancer systems with increased efficiency.