Integration of TADF Photosensitizer as “Electron Pump” and BSA as “Electron Reservoir” for Boosting Type I Photodynamic Therapy

Abstract

Type I photosensitization provides an effective solution to the problem of unsatisfactory photodynamic therapeutic (PDT) effects caused by the tumor hypoxia. The challenge in the development of Type I mode is to boost the photosensitizer’s own electron transfer capacity. Herein, we found that the use of bovine serum albumin (BSA) to encapsulate a thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) photosensitizer PS can significantly promote the Type I PDT process to generate a mass of superoxide anions (O2•–). This Type I photosensitization opened a new strategy by employing BSA as “electron reservoir” and TADF photosensitizer as “electron pump”. We integrated these roles of BSA and PS in one system by preparing nanophotosensitizer PS@BSA. The Type I PDT performance was demonstrated with tumor cells under hypoxic conditions. Furthermore, PS@BSA took full advantage of the tumor-targeting role of BSA and achieved efficient PDT for tumor-bearing mice in the in vivo experiments. This work provides an effective route to improve the PDT efficiency of hypoxic tumors.