Evaluation of new complexes of biocompatible magnetic fluid and 3rd generation of photosensitizer useful to cancer treatment

This paper introduces a new class of complex materials that combine the action of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and hyperthermia (HPT) therapies, designed to work in a synergic way, leading to an expected enhancement of the tumor damage after minimum doses of heat dissipation and/or visible light photosensitization . In this study, we evaluated comparative dark and light toxicity of the photosensitisers (PS), biocompatible magnetic fluids(BMF) and BMF/PS complex in the J774-A cell line. Maghemite nanoparticles are surface coated with phosphate (PPT) and chlorine e₆ (Chle₆) is used as a PS drug. In the dark toxicity studies, five different concentration of Chle₆ were evaluated at the lower dark toxicity concentration (5 μM). The same studies were developed in the presence of BMFs. No change was observed upon the addition of BMFs. Light toxicity studies were performed with three different fluence of visible light irradiation (2, 5 and 10 J/cm²). The methodology used to investigate the cell toxicity in both protocol was the classical MTT assay. All the results presented here allow the development of a new drug generation for cancer treatment extending the possibility of the use of the Chle6/PPT complex as a candidate for maximum tumor damage, acting via photoactivation and/or magnetic field exposure.