Mesoporous silica nanoparticles functionalized with an oxygen-sensing probe for cell photodynamic therapy: Potential cancer theranostics

Functionalization of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) with Pd-porphyrins for cancer cell photodynamic therapy is reported. The composite platform, MSN-PdTPP, expands the role of Pd-porphyrins from their routine use as phosphorescence probes for oxygen sensing/imaging (diagnostics) to that of novel nano-photosensitizers for cancer cell phototherapy (therapeutics). The utility of MSN-PdTPP in the phototherapeutic treatment of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells is also evaluated, suggesting it is a promising cancer theranostic platform. ? 2009 The Royal Society of Chemistry.