Photosensitizer loaded HSA nanoparticles II: in vitro investigations.

The photosensitizing efficiency of human serum albumin (HSA) nanoparticles loaded with the photosensitizers meta-tetra(hydroxy-phenyl)-chlorin (mTHPC) and meta-tetra(hydroxy-phenyl)-porphyrin (mTHPP) was investigated in vitro. The endocytotic intracellular uptake, and the time dependent drug release caused by nanoparticle decomposition of the PS loaded HSA nanoparticles were studied on Jurkat cells in suspension. The photoxicity as well as the intracellular singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)) generation were investigated in dependence on the incubation time. The obtained results show that HSA nanoparticles are promising carriers for the clinical used mTHPC (Foscan). After release the ((1)O(2)) generation as well as the phototoxicity are more efficient compared with mTHPC applied without the HSA nanoparticles.