Biochemical Analysis of Potential Photodynamic Therapy Agents

Photodynamic therapy agents are used in all manner of medical professions from oncologists to dermatologists. These compounds reduce the size of tumors, treat skin diseases, and inactivate certain viruses including HIV-1 and HSV-1. Their mode of action is to either kill tumors or viruses by direct cell death, loss of oxygen, loss of the nutrient supply, or responses in the immune systems. In the past, organic dyes, aromatic hydrocarbons, polypyrolics complexes, and other compounds were the focus of research in this field, but due to limitations in their biological properties, research has slowed in this area. Recently it has come to light that porphyrin compounds with transition metals in their core have great potential as photodynamic therapy drugs. Our laboratory has investigated the potential of novel copper and manganese porphyrins as new photodynamic therapy drugs utilizing DNA gel electrophoresis and UV-Visible spectroscopy. All current results will be presented.