Photosensitizers binding to nucleic acids as anticancer agents

Future Med Chem. 2016;8(2):179-94. doi: 10.4155/fmc.15.180. Epub 2016 Jan 25.

Abstract

Cationic porphyrins (Prs) and phthalocyanines (Pcs) are strong photosensitizers that have drawn much attention for their potential in photodynamic therapy. These compounds have the interesting property of binding to nucleic acids, in particular G-rich quadruplex-forming sequences in DNA and RNA. In this review, we highlight their potential as anticancer drugs.

Keywords: B78-H1; KRAS; Panc-1; RNA-quadruplexes; cancer; cationic phthalocyanines; cationic porphyrins; mRNA suppression; photodynamic therapy; singlet oxygen.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • DNA / chemistry
  • DNA / metabolism*
  • G-Quadruplexes
  • Humans
  • Indoles / chemistry
  • Indoles / metabolism
  • Isoindoles
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Photochemotherapy
  • Photosensitizing Agents / chemistry
  • Photosensitizing Agents / metabolism*
  • Photosensitizing Agents / therapeutic use
  • Porphyrins / chemistry
  • Porphyrins / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / chemistry
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • ras Proteins / genetics
  • ras Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Indoles
  • Isoindoles
  • Photosensitizing Agents
  • Porphyrins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • DNA
  • ras Proteins
  • phthalocyanine