Since 2022, Assoc. Prof. Burak Barut has been a faculty member at the Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Karadeniz Technical University. His research is centered on biochemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, photodynamic therapy, and molecular biology, with a strong focus on developing novel therapeutic agents and drug delivery systems for various diseases, particularly cancer.
Assoc. Prof. Barut and his research team employ advanced spectroscopic methods, proteomics, molecular docking, and bioinformatics tools to design and evaluate new small molecules, phthalocyanines, and bioactive compounds for potential pharmacological applications. His studies on photodynamic therapy, enzyme inhibitors, and anticancer agents aim to develop more effective and targeted treatment strategies.
A new approach to cancer treatment: Photodynamic therapy and its applications
Burak BARUTa*, Gökçe SEYHANa,b
aKaradeniz Technical University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Biochemistry, Trabzon, Türkiye
bKaradeniz Technical University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Biochemistry (Pharmacy), Trabzon, Türkiye
*burakbarut@ktu.edu.tr
Cancer remains one of the leading global health challenges, characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation, high mortality, and a substantial socioeconomic burden. According to GLOBACAN 2022, approximately 20 million new cancer cases and 9.7 million related deaths were reported, with lung, breast, colorectal, liver, and prostate cancers being the most prevalent.1 Current treatment modalities, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hormone therapy, though effective, are often associated with severe side effects, limited selectivity, and the risk of recurrence. Consequently, developing novel, targeted, and minimally invasive therapeutic strategies is urgently required. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a promising alternative due to its unique characteristics, such as low systemic toxicity, repeatability, and high therapeutic efficacy.2 PDT relies on three critical components—photosensitizer, light, and oxygen—to generate reactive oxygen species that selectively induce tumor cell death via apoptosis, necrosis, autophagy, vascular damage, and immune responses. Over time, the development of photosensitizers has evolved from first- to third-generation, with improvements in selectivity, tissue penetration, and pharmacokinetics. Among second-generation agents, phthalocyanines are particularly notable due to their strong absorption in the therapeutic window (650–800 nm), minimal cutaneous photosensitivity, and favorable clearance profile. Despite challenges such as hydrophobicity and aggregation that limit bioavailability, structural modifications and nanocarrier-based delivery systems have been employed to enhance their performance.3 This study summarizes recent in vitro and in vivo studies investigating PDT applications in cancer, focusing on phthalocyanine-based photosensitizers. The aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of PDT’s therapeutic potential, advantages, and limitations, while highlighting recent advancements that could support its translation into more effective clinical applications. This work was supported by the Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA).
References:
1. Bray F.; Laversanne, M.; Sung, H.; Ferlay, J.; Siegel R.L.; Soerjomataram, I.; Jemal, A. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 2024, 74 (3), 229.
2. Jiang, W.; Liang, M.; Lei, Q.; Li, G.; Wu, S. Cancers 2023, 15 (3), 585.
3. Mohanty, S.; Desai V.M.; Jain, R.; Agrawal, M.; Dubey, S.K.; Singhvi, G. RSC Advances 2024, 14 (30), 21915.