Photodynamic effects of porphyrin–polyamine conjugates in human breast cancer and keratinocyte cell lines

Porphyrin-polyamine conjugates bearing two (cis or trans position) or four spermidine or spermine units were synthesized. We studied the photostability, the hydrophilic/lipophilic balance of porphyrin–polyamine derivatives and the production of singlet oxygen. All these compounds possess physicochemical features required for their use in PDT. Then, we investigated the photocytotoxic efficacy of these porphyrin–polyamine derivatives and the cell death pathway implicated. All compounds appear to be more efficient than Photofrin® to induce HaCat and MCF7 cell death, essentially by apoptosis. Collectively, these data show that porphyrin-polyamine conjugates could be promising phototherapeutic agents.

► Design and synthesis of a new series of porphyrin-polyamine conjugates.
► Photophysical and photochemical properties of these porphyrin similar to Photofrin®.
► Better phototoxic efficiency of porphyrin polyamine derivatives than Photofrin®.
► Compounds essentially induce apoptosis with a minor fraction of necrosis.
► Porphyrin–polyamine conjugates could be promising phototherapeutic agents.