Preliminary evaluation of a water soluble chlorin photosensitizer

Some of the key optical properties of a new water soluble chlorine (YLG-1) were evaluated. The sensitizer has a strong absorption at 398 nm and 655 nm in DMSO. A strong red fluorescence is detected under the excitation of 398 nm. The fluorescence life time is approximately 5 ns and fluorescence quantum yield 20%. The sensitizer does not accumulate in normal skin after topical use or IV injection. Preliminary in vivo results suggest that this novel chlorine causes little cutaneous phototoxicity. Its potentials in photodynamic therapy (PDT) deserve further study.