Bonnett R, Berenbaum M
Department of Chemistry, Queen Mary College, London, UK.
Ciba Found Symp. 1989;146:40-53; discussion 53-9. doi: 10.1002/9780470513842.ch4.
The porphyrins have two important roles in photobiology: in photosynthesis, which has evolved and is highly organized morphologically; and in the photodynamic effect, which is adventitious. The damage to tissue that results from photodynamic action is regarded as arising from a number of pathways, but singlet oxygen generation is a major route. Even for the latter mechanism, a number of target molecules are possible. Compared with photosynthesis, it is a very disorganized process. Since the mid 1970s there have been increasing efforts to turn the photodynamic effect to good use as the basis of a phototherapy for cancer. The field has been dominated by the photosensitizer haematoporphyrin derivative. This is a complex mixture of molecules, and although we are learning more about it, it seems unlikely that it will be possible to separate out a useful single substance. A second generation of porphyrin sensitizers is emerging, which, unlike haematoporphyrin derivative, is designed for the job in hand. Some of these photosensitizers, especially the hydroporphyrins, look quite promising.
在光合作用中，光合作用已经进化且在形态上高度有序；以及在光动力效应中，光动力效应是偶然发生的。光动力作用对组织造成的损伤被认为源于多种途径，但单线态氧的产生是主要途径。即使对于后一种机制，也可能有多种靶分子。与光合作用相比，它是一个非常无序的过程。自20世纪70年代中期以来，人们越来越努力将光动力效应很好地用作癌症光疗的基础。该领域一直由光敏剂血卟啉衍生物主导。这是一种复杂的分子混合物，尽管我们对它的了解越来越多，但似乎不太可能分离出一种有用的单一物质。第二代卟啉敏化剂正在出现，与血卟啉衍生物不同，它们是为手头的工作而设计的。其中一些光敏剂，尤其是氢卟啉，看起来很有前景。
