Porphyrin-Based Compounds in Medicine: From Photodynamic Therapy to Theranostics
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Interventional Radiology, Electrophysiology and Electrotherapy, The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration Hospital, 35-111 Rzeszów, Poland
- 2Department of Photomedicine and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rzeszów, 35-310 Rzeszów, Poland
- 3Medical Science Club, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rzeszów, 35-310 Rzeszów, Poland
- 4Department of Biochemistry and General Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rzeszów, 35-310 Rzeszów, Poland
Abstract
Porphyrins and their derivatives represent one of the most adaptable classes of compounds in contemporary biomedical research, bridging the crucial gap between diagnostic imaging and therapeutic intervention. This comprehensive review examines the evolution of porphyrin-based compounds and their therapeutic applications, from their fundamental role in photodynamic therapy to their status as sophisticated theranostic platforms. The unique photophysical properties of porphyrins, which are characterized by intense Soret band absorption, tunable fluorescence emission, and the generation of reactive oxygen species upon light activation, underpin their dual functionality as both imaging and therapeutic agents. The structural basis of porphyrin photochemistry, their progression through the first, second, and third generation of photosensitizers, and the transformative impact of nanotechnology, especially in overcoming intrinsic limitations such as poor aqueous solubility, aggregation-caused quenching, as well as limited tumor specificity, are discussed. Attention is devoted to emerging nanoplatforms such as porphyrin-based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent–organic frameworks (COFs), and electrospun nanofibers, which enable multimodal imaging, synergistic therapies, and controlled drug delivery. The challenges that impede clinical translation, including phototoxicity, tissue penetration limitations, and biosafety concerns, are critically examined, along with promising strategies for their resolution. By integrating porphyrin-based theranostic capabilities within single molecular platforms, these systems are ready to advance personalized cancer medicine while enabling real-time treatment monitoring and precision-guided interventions, which could substantially improve patient outcomes.
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BibTeX
@article{rodzonwanczura2026porphyrinbased,
title = {{Porphyrin-Based Compounds in Medicine: From Photodynamic Therapy to Theranostics}},
author = {Urszula Rodzoń-Wańczura and David Aebisher and Tamil Selvan Ramesh and Klaudia Dynarowicz and Maciej Filip and Dorota Bartusik-Aebisher},
journal = {Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/molecules31193488},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13666297},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Porphyrin-Based Compounds in Medicine: From Photodynamic Therapy to Theranostics
AU - Urszula Rodzoń-Wańczura
AU - David Aebisher
AU - Tamil Selvan Ramesh
AU - Klaudia Dynarowicz
AU - Maciej Filip
AU - Dorota Bartusik-Aebisher
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
DO - 10.3390/molecules31193488
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13666297
AB - Porphyrins and their derivatives represent one of the most adaptable classes of compounds in contemporary biomedical research, bridging the crucial gap between diagnostic imaging and therapeutic intervention. This comprehensive review examines the evolution of porphyrin-based compounds and their therapeutic applications, from their fundamental role in photodynamic therapy to their status as sophisticated theranostic platforms. The unique photophysical properties of porphyrins, which are characterized by intense Soret band absorption, tunable fluorescence emission, and the generation of reactive oxygen species upon light activation, underpin their dual functionality as both imaging and therapeutic agents. The structural basis of porphyrin photochemistry, their progression through the first, second, and third generation of photosensitizers, and the transformative impact of nanotechnology, especially in overcoming intrinsic limitations such as poor aqueous solubility, aggregation-caused quenching, as well as limited tumor specificity, are discussed. Attention is devoted to emerging nanoplatforms such as porphyrin-based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent–organic frameworks (COFs), and electrospun nanofibers, which enable multimodal imaging, synergistic therapies, and controlled drug delivery. The challenges that impede clinical translation, including phototoxicity, tissue penetration limitations, and biosafety concerns, are critically examined, along with promising strategies for their resolution. By integrating porphyrin-based theranostic capabilities within single molecular platforms, these systems are ready to advance personalized cancer medicine while enabling real-time treatment monitoring and precision-guided interventions, which could substantially improve patient outcomes.
SN - 1420-3049
ER -