Targeting Sub-Cellular Organelles for Boosting Precision Photodynamic Therapy

Abstract

Among various cancer treatment methods, photodynamic therapy has received significant attention due to its non-invasiveness and high efficiency in inhibiting tumour growth. Recently, specific organelle targeting photosensitizers have received increasing interest due to their precise accumulation and triggering organelle-mediated cell death signal pathways which greatly reduce the drug dosage, minimize toxicity, avoid multidrug resistance, and prevent recurrence. In this review, recent advances and representative photosensitizers used in targeted photodynamic therapy on organelles, specifically including endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, mitochondria, nucleus, and lysosomes have been comprehensively reviewed with focus on organelle structure and organelle-mediated cell death signal pathways. Furthermore, a perspective on future research and potential challenges in precision photodynamic therapy has been presented at the end.