In vivo phototoxic action of a cationic Zn(II) phthalocyanine in a murine melanoma model

GARCIA VIOR M.C.; ROGUIN LP; VALLI F; MARINO V.J.

Buenos Aires

Congreso; Reunión Anual de Sociedades de Biociencia. SAIC. SAI. SAFIS.; 2020

SAIC, SAI, SAFIS

Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin carcinoma, highly resistant to traditional therapies. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an alternative modality, which combines a photosensitizer, visible light and molecular oxygen to produce reactive oxygen species that selectively destroy target tissues. We have previously demonstrated that the cationic Zn(II) phthalocyanine Pc13 is a potent photosensitizer that promotes cell death after irradiation in a panel of melanoma cell lines.In order to evaluate the in vivo efficacy of PDT with Pc13, we employed a syngeneic model of C57BL/6 mice bearing subcutaneous B16F0 melanoma tumors. First, Pc13 biodistribution was examined after intratumoral administration using an in vivo imaging system. We found that maximum retention of the photosensitizer in the tumor was reached at 3 h post administration. Moreover, the presence of Pc13 in liver, intestines and kidneys suggested possible elimination pathways of this phthalocyanine. Laser irradiation (250 J/cm2) after 3 h of intratumoral injection of 2 mg/kg Pc13 significantly reduced tumor volume at the end of the experiment (65%, p