A Two-Photon Zn(II) Complex Photosensitizer with pH/Viscosity Dual Response for Enhanced Tumor Therapy

In recent years, an increasing number of studies have shown that novel metal complexes with bio-imaging capabilities could enhance precision oncology, particularly through optimized photosensitizer (PS) design for subcellular organelle targeting photodynamic therapy (PDT). Based on this, we successf...

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Main Authors: Yu Zhang, Shao-Qi Guan, Ya-Ping Wang, Mei Pan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Molecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/11/2430
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author Yu Zhang
Shao-Qi Guan
Ya-Ping Wang
Mei Pan
author_facet Yu Zhang
Shao-Qi Guan
Ya-Ping Wang
Mei Pan
author_sort Yu Zhang
collection DOAJ
description In recent years, an increasing number of studies have shown that novel metal complexes with bio-imaging capabilities could enhance precision oncology, particularly through optimized photosensitizer (PS) design for subcellular organelle targeting photodynamic therapy (PDT). Based on this, we successfully developed a two-photon (TP) fluorescent Zn(II) complex, LIFM–ZY–3, characterized by the specifical targeting capability of lysosome. This complex was capable of monitoring dual changes in pH and viscosity. Additionally, our findings indicated that the complex could generate multiple reactive oxygen species (ROS), including singlet oxygen (<sup>1</sup>O<sub>2</sub>), hydroxyl radicals (•OH), and superoxide anion radicals (O<sub>2</sub><sup>−</sup>) under white light irradiation in vivo and in vitro. These findings underscored the remarkable versatility of LIFM–ZY–3 as an advanced multifunctional PS for both microenvironment monitoring and tumor therapy.
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spelling doaj-art-2e944c7cfe33466c95e95ffacacd47bd2025-08-20T03:46:50ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-05-013011243010.3390/molecules30112430A Two-Photon Zn(II) Complex Photosensitizer with pH/Viscosity Dual Response for Enhanced Tumor TherapyYu Zhang0Shao-Qi Guan1Ya-Ping Wang2Mei Pan3MOE Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, Lehn Institute of Functional Materials, IGCME, GBRCE for Functional Molecular Engineering, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaMOE Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, Lehn Institute of Functional Materials, IGCME, GBRCE for Functional Molecular Engineering, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaMOE Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, Lehn Institute of Functional Materials, IGCME, GBRCE for Functional Molecular Engineering, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaMOE Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, Lehn Institute of Functional Materials, IGCME, GBRCE for Functional Molecular Engineering, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaIn recent years, an increasing number of studies have shown that novel metal complexes with bio-imaging capabilities could enhance precision oncology, particularly through optimized photosensitizer (PS) design for subcellular organelle targeting photodynamic therapy (PDT). Based on this, we successfully developed a two-photon (TP) fluorescent Zn(II) complex, LIFM–ZY–3, characterized by the specifical targeting capability of lysosome. This complex was capable of monitoring dual changes in pH and viscosity. Additionally, our findings indicated that the complex could generate multiple reactive oxygen species (ROS), including singlet oxygen (<sup>1</sup>O<sub>2</sub>), hydroxyl radicals (•OH), and superoxide anion radicals (O<sub>2</sub><sup>−</sup>) under white light irradiation in vivo and in vitro. These findings underscored the remarkable versatility of LIFM–ZY–3 as an advanced multifunctional PS for both microenvironment monitoring and tumor therapy.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/11/2430Zn(II) complexTP fluorescencedual monitoringROSPDT
spellingShingle Yu Zhang
Shao-Qi Guan
Ya-Ping Wang
Mei Pan
A Two-Photon Zn(II) Complex Photosensitizer with pH/Viscosity Dual Response for Enhanced Tumor Therapy
Molecules
Zn(II) complex
TP fluorescence
dual monitoring
ROS
PDT
title A Two-Photon Zn(II) Complex Photosensitizer with pH/Viscosity Dual Response for Enhanced Tumor Therapy
title_full A Two-Photon Zn(II) Complex Photosensitizer with pH/Viscosity Dual Response for Enhanced Tumor Therapy
title_fullStr A Two-Photon Zn(II) Complex Photosensitizer with pH/Viscosity Dual Response for Enhanced Tumor Therapy
title_full_unstemmed A Two-Photon Zn(II) Complex Photosensitizer with pH/Viscosity Dual Response for Enhanced Tumor Therapy
title_short A Two-Photon Zn(II) Complex Photosensitizer with pH/Viscosity Dual Response for Enhanced Tumor Therapy
title_sort two photon zn ii complex photosensitizer with ph viscosity dual response for enhanced tumor therapy
topic Zn(II) complex
TP fluorescence
dual monitoring
ROS
PDT
url https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/11/2430
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