Research progress of Hemoporfin--part one: preclinical study.

The second generation photosensitizer Hemoporfin (7(12)-(1-methoxyethyl) -12(7)-(1-hydroxyethyl)-3,8,13,17-tetramethyl-21H,23H-porphin-2,18-dipropionic acid) is a porphyrin derivative which processes a stable structure, high singlet oxygen yield, high photoactivity, low dark toxicity and fast clearance rate. Hemoporfin, also known as hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether (HMME) has been studied and used in photodynamic therapy (PDT) in China since 1989. This series of reports will provide an overview on the preclinical and clinical studies of this PDT photosensitizer. The first part of this series will highlight the results of preclinical studies that focused on the compound's optical characteristics, mechanism of the activities, pharmacological and toxicological properties.