The phthalocyanines: a new class of mammalian cells photosensitizers with a potential for cancer phototherapy.

Phthalocyanines, porphyrin-like compounds with maximum absorption in the red, which were previously reported to localize selectively in tumours, have been shown to be efficient photosensitizers of mammalian cells in culture, thus making them possible candidates to replace haematoporphyrin derivatives in cancer phototherapy.