Structure And Properties Of Novel Benzo[a]phenoxazinium Photochemotherapeutic Agents

The approach used for the development of some novel benzophenoxazinium photosensitizers is presented. Considerations that have influenced the design of these dyes include structure/function relationships pertaining to such properties as selective tumor staining, fluorescent quantum yields and photosensitized singlet oxygen formation (1O2). General trends in the relative photodynamic behavior exhibited by these new dyes in cell culture are discussed. The results indicate that several of the dyes have significant photosensitizing efficacy.