A tumor mRNA-mediated bi-photosensitizer molecular beacon as an efficient imaging and photosensitizing agent.

A bi-photosensitizer molecular beacon (bi-PS MB) is assembled by coupling two PS molecules, respectively, onto the opposite ends of a single MB. The MB can be triggered by a tumor marker-survivin mRNA. Fluorescence and cytotoxic (1)O(2) generation occur effectively in breast cancer cells, but not in normal cells. Compared with a single-PS MB, a bi-PS MB exhibits much-enhanced properties in the signal-to-background ratio and (1)O(2) generation simultaneously. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011