Cited by 201Photodynamic Therapy Research StudiesNanoplatforms for cancer theranosticsPhotochromic and Fluorescence Chemistry

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Taking phototherapeutics from concept to clinical launch

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Vickerman, Brianna M., Zywot, Emilia M., Tarrant, Teresa K., Lawrence, David S.·2021·Nature Reviews Chemistry

DOI 10.1038/s41570-021-00326-wPMC PMC8493544

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Abstract

More than four decades have passed since the first example of a light-activated (caged) compound was described. In the intervening years, a large number of light-responsive derivatives have been reported, several of which have found utility under a variety of in vitro conditions using cells and tissues. Light-triggered bioactivity furnishes spatial and temporal control, and offers the possibility of precision dosing and orthogonal communication with different biomolecules. These inherent attributes of light have been advocated as advantageous for the delivery and/or activation of drugs at diseased sites for a variety of indications. However, the tissue penetrance of light is profoundly wavelength-dependent. Only recently have phototherapeutics that are photoresponsive in the optical window of tissue (600-900 nm) been described. This Review highlights these recent discoveries, along with their limitations and clinical opportunities. In addition, we describe preliminary in vivo studies of prospective phototherapeutics, with an emphasis on the path that remains to be navigated in order to translate light-activated drugs into clinically useful therapeutics. Finally, the unique attributes of phototherapeutics is highlighted by discussing several potential disease applications.

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Authors: Vickerman, B. M., Zywot, E. M., Tarrant, T. K., & Lawrence, D. S.
Affiliations: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (US)
Duke Medical Center (US)
Corresponding author: Tarrant, Teresa K.
Lawrence, David S.
ORCID: Vickerman, Brianna M.
Zywot, Emilia M.
Tarrant, Teresa K.
Lawrence, David S.
Venue: Nature Reviews Chemistry
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published: 2021-10-06
Volume: 5
Issue: 11
Pages: 816-834
ISSN: 2397-3358 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1038/s41570-021-00326-w
PMC: PMC8493544
OpenAlex: W3201796483
Cited by: 201
References: 163
Citations by year: 2026: 30 · 2025: 46 · 2024: 50 · 2023: 46 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 3
FWCI: 5.02
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: bronze
doi.org
Licence: www.springernature.com/gp/researchers/text-and-data-mining (tdm)
www.springernature.com/gp/researchers/text-and-data-mining (vor)
Locations: Nature Reviews Chemistry (publishedVersion)
PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders: American Heart Association (18PRE33960038)
Rheumatology Research Foundation
National Institutes of Health
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R01HL153744)
National Cancer Institute (T32CA071341)
Topics: Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cancer Research › Photodynamic Therapy Research Studies
Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics
Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Materials Chemistry › Photochromic and Fluorescence Chemistry
Keywords: light-activated drugs, caged compounds, photoresponsive molecules, drug delivery, clinical translation, in vivo evaluation
MeSH terms: Phototherapy

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