Recent Advances in Metal Complexes for Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global problem with more than 1 million deaths due to AMR infection in 2019 alone. New and innovative therapeutics are required to overcome this challenge. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is a rapidly growing area of research poised to provide much needed help in the fight against AMR. aPDT works by administering a photosensitizer (PS) that is activated only when irradiated with light, allowing high spatiotemporal control and selectivity. The PS typically generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can damage a variety of key biological targets, potentially circumventing existing resistance mechanisms. Metal complexes are well known to display excellent optoelectronic properties, and recent focus has begun to shift towards their application in tackling microbial infections. Herein, we review the last five years of progress in the emerging field of small-molecule metal complex PSs for aPDT.

Automated summary

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant global problem, causing over 1 million deaths in 2019 alone. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is a promising solution that uses photosensitizers activated by light to selectively target and kill bacteria. Metal complex photosensitizers have emerged as a potential tool in aPDT due to their excellent optoelectronic properties. This review summarizes the progress made in the last five years in the development of small-molecule metal complex photosensitizers for aPDT.