Activatable photodynamic destruction of cancer cells by NIR dye/photosensitizer loaded liposomes

The phototoxicity of Chlorin e6 (Ce6) for photodynamic therapy (PDT) was found to be effectively suppressed by indocyanine green (ICG), a near infrared (NIR) dye. Upon NIR laser irradiation at 808 nm, ICG in the liposomes containing ICG and Ce6 could be degraded, while the phototoxicity of Ce6 could be recovered. In addition, we demonstrate that this newly developed liposomal component can be successfully used for activatable PDT to destroy cancer cells in vitro.