A cyanine-derivative photosensitizer with enhanced photostability for mitochondria-targeted photodynamic therapy

A cyanine-derivative photosensitizer, CYBF2, was synthesized for photodynamic therapy of cancer. The photosensitizer can be activated by red-light with enhanced photostability compared to traditional cyanine photosensitizers. CYBF2 was able to generate singlet oxygen inside the cell mitochondria, which efficiently resulted in apoptosis of cancer cells.