Developing Next Generation Photodynamic Therapy Drugs as a Cancer Treatment

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an established treatment for cancer which relies on the use of a specific wavelength of light to activate a compound (photosensitiser) that generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) that specifically damage and kill cancer cells. However, current PDT compounds have significant limitations such as poor localisation in tumours, relatively low phototoxicity and poor compound stability. Utilising our unique collaborative academic and industry research partnerships we have developed a new generation photosensitiser chlorophyl based flouresence compound. This compound overcomes these limitations and shows promise in the treatment of cancers. We now wish to expand this treatment and technology and optimise it to treat other suitable cancer types, leading to further clinical testing and drug development. This project would involve testing immortalised cancer cell lines with next generation PDT compounds. Cell localisation studies using microscopy, animal model testing, mitochondrial biogenesis profiling, Mass Spectrometry and protein profiling. Drug development and clinical trials.