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Near-infrared (NIR) light triggered photodynamic therapy (PDT), based on upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), has attracted great attention because of its high tissue penetration and low photodamage to living organisms. However, most UCNPs cannot be stably dispersed in aqueous solution and cannot carry photosensitive drugs directly. Besides, UCNP mediated PDT is a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) process from the UCNPs to the attached photosensitive drugs. So the drug and UCNPs must be stably connected and close enough. In this manuscript, carboxymethyl-β-cyclodextrin (COOH-β-CD) was used to connect UCNPs and adamantine modified phthalocyanine (Ad-ZnPc) through a self-assembly process followed by a host–guest interaction. COOH-β-CD can provide good water solubility of the system and short-distance linking between the UCNPs and Ad-ZnPc. Most importantly, the system has a strong NIR light triggered PDT activity toward cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fields of phototherapy and of inorganic chemotherapy both have long histories. Inorganic photoactivated chemotherapy (PACT) offers both temporal and spatial control over drug activation and has remarkable potential for the treatment of cancer. Following photoexcitation, a number of different decay pathways (both photophysical and photochemical) are available to a metal complex. These pathways can result in radiative energy release, loss of ligands or transfer of energy to another species, such as triplet oxygen. We discuss the features which need to be considered when developing a metal-based anticancer drug, and the common mechanisms by which the current complexes are believed to operate. We then provide a comprehensive overview of PACT developments for complexes of the different d-block metals for the treatment of cancer, detailing the more established areas concerning Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Re, Fe, Ru, Os, Co, Rh, Pt, and Cu and also highlighting areas where there is potential for greater exploration. Nanoparticles (Ag, Au) and quantum dots (Cd) are also discussed for their photothermal destructive potential. We also discuss the potential held in particular by mixed-metal systems and Ru complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]