An estrogen receptor targeted ruthenium complex as a two-photon photodynamic therapy agent for breast cancer cells

Abstract

In this study, we reported a tamoxifen modified Ru(II) polypyridyl complex (Ru-tmxf) as an estrogen receptor (ER) targeted photosensitizer. Ru-tmxf displays enhanced cellular uptake and PDT efficiency toward breast cancer cells with high ER expression due to the specific targeting of tamoxifen to ER and finally localizes in lysosomes. Moreover, Ru-tmxf can be activated by two-photon excitation, generating ¹O₂ to damage lysosomes and result in cell death.