Mitochondria-selective photodynamic tumor therapy using globular PEG nanoparticles

In this study, we report water-soluble globular poly(ethylene glycol) (gPEG) nanoparticles for targeting mitochondria and for improved photodynamic tumor therapy. Here, gPEG (prepared after all of the π-π carbon bonds in fullerene (as a hollow core structure) were chemically combined with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)) was chemically linked with chlorin e6 (Ce6, as a photosensitizing anticancer drug) and iodomethyltriphenylphosphonium (IMTP). In particular, IMTP acted as a mitochondria-targeting molecule, accelerating the localization of nanoparticles into the mitochondria of tumor cells. From an in vitro evaluation, these nanoparticles exhibited improved singlet oxygen generation and significantly increased photodynamic tumor ablation. We believe that this nanoparticle provides a promising pathway for photodynamic drug delivery. [Figure not available: see fulltext.]