Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a cancer treatment modality that relies on a combination of non-toxic photosensitizers, oxygen, and light to generate cytotoxic reactive oxygen species. PDT traditionally has been used in superficial cancers, but with the advent of fiber optic technologies and laparoscopic surgical techniques it has become feasible in a variety of deep-seated tumours. Despite these technological and clinical advancements, PDT has several limitations that prevent it from becoming a mainstay clinical modality. First, clinical PSs lack tumour specificity, which results in prolonged photosensitivity in patients as well as suboptimal PS tumour accumulation. Secondly, PDT combination with systemic therapies such as chemotherapy, remains underexplored, which restricts PDT indications. This thesis seeks to address these limitations by advancing PS design and investigating PDT in combination with systemic chemotherapy.Chapters 3 and 4 of this thesis describe the development of two porphyrin-based prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted PSs with complementary phototherapeutic and imaging properties. These PSMA-targeted porphyrins demonstrated excellent specificity and favorable tumour accumulation, which translated into potent PDT. Furthermore, it was discovered that the inclusion of a 9-amino acid D-peptide linker between the porphyrin molecule and the targeting ligand is a robust strategy to improve pharmacokinetics, particularly half-life, of a targeted PS that further enhanced its tumour accumulation. This dissertation also explores whether the use of porphyrin supramolecular interactions within nanoparticles could yield phototheranostic agents with tunable properties. Specifically, Chapter 6 of my thesis probes the effects of different porphyrin conjugates on the resulting nanoparticle's imaging and phototherapeutic properties. While photodynamic therapy can be effective as a stand-alone modality, its combination with other mainstay clinical techniques such as chemotherapy is extremely promising as it expands the range of cancers it can be applied to. Chapter 5 explores the use of subtherapeutic photodynamic treatment as a priming strategy to modulate the tumour microenvironment and enhance delivery of various nanoparticles including clinically approved nanomedicines. Overall, this dissertation pursues several research avenues for PDT advancement, which will hopefully aid the development of next generation clinical photosensitizers and more precise and versatile PDT protocols.

Nanomaterials for Photodynamic Therapy takes a unique approach to this area, with a key focus on the use of nanomaterials and nanocarriers for photodynamic therapy (PDT). The book introduces the history and mechanism of action behind PDT, covering the variety of sensitizers currently available. Subsequent chapters review existing and emerging nanomaterials for PDT, including hydrogel nanocomposites, fullerenes, quantum dots, polymeric micelles, and more. Challenges and translational aspects of PDT are also discussed, touching on the issues and hindrances of drug resistant cancers.The book bridges the gap between the physics and clinical aspects of PDT, offering a unique nanomaterials-focused perspective. This book will prove useful for materials scientists, biomedical engineers, electrical and optical engineers, and pharmaceutical scientists interested in cancer treatment. - Reviews a broad range of nanomaterials for PDT, such as graphene oxide, dendrimers, solid lipid nanoparticles, and more - Provides a helpful introduction to the history and mechanism of action behind PDT - Discusses challenges in clinical translational, particularly in drug-resistant cancers

With today's focus on targeted and minimally invasive therapies, photodynamic therapy (PDT) is now being studied and used to combat many disease states and to investigate critical biological questions. This groundbreaking resource brings you the latest advances in photodynamic therapy and offers you a solid understanding of the design, delivery and dosimetry of the three basic ingredients of PDT - photosensitizers, light and oxygen. The book covers novel areas of mechanistic and innovative translational approaches. Moreover, it gives you an overview of the important medical applications of PDT, including approved treatments, clinical trials, and investigated therapies for cancer and non-malignant diseases.

Nanoscience has become one of the key growth areas in recent years. It can be integrated into imaging and therapy to increase the potential for novel applications in the field of photomedicine. In the past commercial applications of nanoscience have been limited to materials science research only, however, in recent years nanoparticles are rapidly being incorporated into industrial and consumer products. This is mainly due to the expansion of biomedical related research and the burgeoning field of nanomedicine. Applications of Nanoscience in Photomedicine covers a wide range of nanomaterials including nanoparticles used for drug delivery and other emerging fields such as optofluidics, imaging and SERS diagnostics. Introductory chapters are followed by a section largely concerned with imaging, and finally a section on nanoscience-enabled therapeutics. - Covers a comprehensive up-to-date information on nanoscience - Focuses on the combination of photomedicine with nanotechnology to enhance the diversity of applications - Pioneers in the field have written their respective chapters - Opens a plethora of possibilities for developing future nanomedicine - Easy to understand and yet intensive coverage chapter by chapter

Organic Nanomaterials for Cancer Phototheranostics highlights the use of biocompatible building blocks to make nanomaterials that can aid in medical treatment through better diagnostic and antitumor efficacy. It synthesizes the current literature on synthetic strategies and designs based on peptides, proteins, polymers, lipids, and their conjugates, as well as composites and complexes with metals and inorganic components used to form the nanomaterials. Mechanistic approaches, clinical problems, and therapeutic and diagnostics mechanisms are covered in each chapter. Cellular interactions and uptake, pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, drug delivery efficiency, and safety concerns of these types of nanomaterials are discussed, as well. Other topics looked at include photostability, clearance, metabolism, in-vitro and in-vivo mechanisms, therapeutic efficacy, imaging, and toxicology. - Outlines fabrication and design strategies of peptides, proteins, polymers, lipids, composites, and complexes with metals and inorganic components - Discusses the limitations and challenges of organic nanomaterials in clinical use, including their mechanisms of penetration into cancer cells and tissue, photostability, clearance, and metabolism - Covers clinical problems and therapeutic and diagnostics mechanisms