Photodynamic activity of chlorin e6 and chlorin e6 ethylenediamide in vitro and in vivo.

Several parameters of chlorin e6 and its derivative chlorin e6 ethylenediamide have been investigated as these compound are potential sensitizers for photodynamic therapy. A study carried out to compare the cellular uptake of the pigments indicates that chlorin e6 ethylenediamide possesses an enhanced affinity for tumour cells and cellular membranes. Comparison of the uptake in induced sarcoma shows that chlorin e6 ethylenediamide is a much better tumour localizer than chlorin e6. The efficiency of phototherapy with chlorin e6 ethylenediamide is higher than that with chlorin e6. These data show the influence of the substitution of the carboxyl groups in chlorin e6 by ester and amide groups on the photosensitizing properties of the pigments.