Russian scientists have proposed a new method for evaluating the effectiveness of photosensitizers —compounds that destroy cancer cell membranes when exposed to light — which is expected to accelerate the development and testing of new potential cancer drugs. The results of the study are published in the Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology.
The research by the scientists from the Russian Technological University MIREA and the Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences was funded by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation.
Photosensitizers are employed in photodynamic therapy, a non-toxic cancer treatment that specifically targets cancer cells without harming healthy tissues. This therapy has gained popularity in recent years, but there is a pressing need for highly effective photosensitizers to facilitate broader clinical application.
“Our work will make it possible to accelerate the search for drugs to treat socially significant diseases, ultimately making medicines more accessible and treatment methods more effective,” said Petr Ostroverkhov, a Candidate of Sciences in Chemistry, lecturer, and researcher at RTU MIREA.
He added that the new method will also reduce the financial and time costs associated with biological research of innovative cancer drugs, including those activated by light.
In 2025, three national projects were launched in Russia: “Long and Active Life,” “Family,” and “New Health-Saving Technologies,” all aimed at developing and enhancing the healthcare system.
