Organic compounds that interact both with certain biological targets and display specific photophysical properties can be utilized as molecular tools to visualize and possibly effect disease related processes taking place in living organisms. In this regard, porphyrins are a class of naturally occurring molecules that possess intriguingly interesting photophysical properties where they can act as luminescent probes by emitting detectable light, as well as photosensitizers in the light mediated therapy called photodynamic therapy. In this thesis, the porphyrin structure has been synthetically combined with other molecule classes to achieve compounds with desirable multimodal characteristics. Firstly, luminescent conjugated oligothiophenes (LCOs) that have extensively, and with great success, been utilized as fluorescent ligands for amyloid formations, have been conjugated to porphyrins to render oligothiophene porphyrin hybrids (OTPHs) comprising two optically active modalities. When applied as fluorescent amyloidophilic dyes for visualization of amyloid-? (A?), one of the pathological hallmarks in Alzheimer’s disease, an enhanced optical assignment of distinct aggregated forms of A? was afforded. Thus, properly functionalized OTPHs could give us more information about pathological processes underlying devastating disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, the OTPHs can be associated with synthetic peptides inducing peptide folding into certain three-dimensional helical structures giving rise to novel optically active materials. Secondly, this thesis also embraces porphyrins’ potential as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy to kill cancer cells. Grounded on the prerequisites for an optimal photosensitizer, we designed porphyrin-based conjugates equipped with common carbohydrates for improved cancer cell selectivity and with a fluorinated glucose derivative, 2-fluoro 2-deoxy glucose, for advantageous metabolism in cancer cells. Furthermore, incorporation of a radioisotopic fluorine-18 atom into the glycoporphyrins could give the means for diagnostic use of the conjugates in positron emission tomography (PET). In order to tether together the above-mentioned molecular moieties in a controlled fashion, we developed a robust synthetic strategy for asymmetrical functionalization of porphyrin core. The method involves chlorosulfonation of this otherwise inert tetrapyrrolic structure, followed by alkynylation. Parallelly to amide coupling reactions, copper(I)-catalyzed alkyne azide cycloaddition is used for fast and high-yielding late-stage conjugations. Overall, this thesis demonstrates how combining different molecular moieties in synthetic organic chemistry yields novel molecules with combined and improved multimodal properties for biological and medicinal applications, guided by the design-by-function methodology.

The main objective of this book is to present the recent applications of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in treating cancer and other diseases. The limitations associated with current PDT agents, and the synthetic designs that have been used in various laboratories are also discussed. The utility of certain tumor-avid agent for cancer imaging (fluorescence, PET, MRI) is also summarized. The book also includes the use of delivery vehicles, including nanoparticles in improving the tumor-specificity of the desired agents. The book is basically focused on the translational approach of drug development. By providing certain specific examples, a clear concept of moving a 'product' from the bench to bed-side is also discussed.To have a clear concept of drug development the book is divided in three parts — Medicinal Chemistry, Mechanistic and Clinical studies. Each part includes the contributions from the leading scientists with extensive experience in the respective field. The handbook is assembled by renowned scientists Dr Dougherty, known as the father of PDT, Dr Kessel, well known for his contributions on mechanism of PDT and Dr Pandey for his inventions in developing improved agents for PDT and cancer-imaging.

Aiding researchers seeking to eliminate multi-step procedures, reduce delays in treatment and ease patient care, Cancer Theranostics reviews, assesses, and makes pertinent clinical recommendations on the integration of comprehensive in vitro diagnostics, in vivo molecular imaging, and individualized treatments towards the personalization of cancer treatment. Cancer Theranostics describes the identification of novel biomarkers to advance molecular diagnostics of cancer. The book encompasses new molecular imaging probes and techniques for early detection of cancer, and describes molecular imaging-guided cancer therapy. Discussion also includes nanoplatforms incorporating both cancer imaging and therapeutic components, as well as clinical translation and future perspectives. - Supports elimination of multi-step approaches and reduces delays in treatments through combinatorial diagnosis and therapy - Fully assesses cancer theranostics across the emergent field, with discussion of biomarkers, molecular imaging, imaging guided therapy, nanotechnology, and personalized medicine - Content bridges laboratory, clinic, and biotechnology industries to advance biomedical science and improve patient management

The series Topics in Heterocyclic Chemistry presents critical reviews on present and future trends in the research of heterocyclic compounds. Overall the scope is to cover topics dealing with all areas within heterocyclic chemistry, both experimental and theoretical, of interest to the general heterocyclic chemistry community. The series consists of topic related volumes edited by renowned editors with contributions of experts in the field. All chapters from Topics in Heterocyclic Chemistry are published Online First with an individual DOI. In references, Topics in Heterocyclic Chemistry is abbreviated as Top Heterocycl Chem and cited as a journal.

This is the seventh set of Handbook of Porphyrin Science.Porphyrins, phthalocyanines and their numerous analogue and derivatives are materials of tremendous importance in chemistry, materials science, physics, biology and medicine. They are the red color in blood (heme) and the green in leaves (chlorophyll); they are also excellent ligands that can coordinate with almost every metal in the Periodic Table. Grounded in natural systems, porphyrins are incredibly versatile and can be modified in many ways; each new modification yields derivatives, demonstrating new chemistry, physics and biology, with a vast array of medicinal and technical applications.As porphyrins are currently employed as platforms for study of theoretical principles and applications in a wide variety of fields, the Handbook of Porphyrin Science represents a timely ongoing series dealing in detail with the synthesis, chemistry, physicochemical and medical properties and applications of polypyrrole macrocycles. Professors Karl Kadish, Kevin Smith and Roger Guilard are internationally recognized experts in the research field of porphyrins, each having his own separate area of expertise in the field. Between them, they have published over 1500 peer-reviewed papers and edited more than three dozen books on diverse topics of porphyrins and phthalocyanines. In assembling the new volumes of this unique handbook, they have selected and attracted the very best scientists in each sub-discipline as contributing authors.This handbook will prove to be a modern authoritative treatise on the subject as it is a collection of up-to-date works by world-renowned experts in the field. Complete with hundreds of figures, tables and structural formulas, and thousands of literature citations, all researchers and graduate students in this field will find the Handbook of Porphyrin Science an essential, major reference source for many years to come.

Theranostics Nanomaterials in Drug Delivery presents the most recent advances in the development of theranostic nanomaterials for drug delivery. This book compiles reports and studies on the latest changes and improvements of theranostic nanocarriers such as nanoemulsions, liposomes, exosomes, polymeric micelles, PLGA nanoparticles, chitosan nanoparticles, dendrimer, quantum dots, silica nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, and many more, all of which can help in the sensitive diagnosis, precise targeting, and efficient and controlled delivery of nanomaterials to control various diseases at different clinical stages. Theranostics nanomaterials in drug delivery will serve as a solid foundation and reference for pharmaceutical scientists, undergraduate and postgraduate students, researchers, and experts in the medical field involved in the development of advanced drug delivery systems. - Presents a compilation of thoroughly analyzed data and results regarding the usage of theranostics nanocarriers as a platform for diagnosis and treatment of various diseases - Gathers novel drug delivery applications of theranostics nanocarriers in biological milieu and discusses the principles behind the formation, characterization, applications, and future perspectives of theranostics for targeted therapy development - Discusses the most recent technologies in theranostics nanometrials to help readers define major gaps in knowledge that can lead new scientific breakthroughs and discoveries

Nanophototherapy: Preparations and Applications provides a comprehensive overview of the various multifunctional nanoparticles used for phototherapy, with an emphasis on fundamental nanotechnology and the latest research of photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT). The different types of phototherapeutic nanomaterials are thoroughly described, along with their structural features and synthesis. This is the first book to cover nanomaterial-based phototherapy for both cancer and bacterial infections. It is an essential resource for researchers, academics, and professionals interested in the potential of multifunctional nanomaterials for therapeutic applications. - Overviews the types, structural features, design, and fabrication of advanced nanomaterial-based phototherapy of cancer and microbial infections - Provides fundamentals and reviews the latest research on nanomaterial-based phototherapy for the treatment of cancer and bacterial infections - Features definitions, synthesis, and characterization of various nanomaterials, such as NIR-based metals, photosensitizer-loaded nanomaterials, polymer nanoparticles, and more

This first book to specifically focus on applications of conjugated polymers in the fields of biology and biomedicine covers materials science, physical principles, and nanotechnology. The editor and authors, all pioneers and experts with extensive research experience in the field, firstly introduce the synthesis and optical properties of various conjugated polymers, highlighting how to make organic soluble polymers compatible with the aqueous environment. This is followed by the application of these materials in optical sensing and imaging as well as the emerging applications in image-guided therapy and in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The result is a consolidated overview for polymer chemists, materials scientists, biochemists, biotechnologists, and bioengineers.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is increasingly being used amongst health practitioners in combating a variety of diseases. This book reviews the current state of development of PDT, and also presents the foreseeable advancements of the field in the next decade. Practitioners in biological sciences, biotechnology and medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry will find this book an invaluable source of information. Chapters are drawn from research discussed at the 10th International Symposium on Photodynamic Therapy and Photodiagnosis in Clinical Practice in Brixen and are written and edited by leaders in the field. Mirroring the philosophy of that meeting, this book contains an informative balance of the basic science and clinical applications of PDT. Following an introduction to PDT, its history, and how techniques have developed, chapters serve as a practical guide for practitioners, covering topics such as sensitizer dosage and light dosage, and examples of relevant studies. The text goes further to explore areas outside the medical field, such as the impact of PDT on society and the environment, and the economics of therapies. This book is dedicated to the memory of Professor Giulio Jori, an expert in this field, who sadly passed away on the 23rd December 2014.