Tetrapyrrolic glycosylated macrocycles for an application in PDT

The synthesis and characterization of amphiphilic glycoconjugated porphyrin s, benzochlorin, and azaporphyrins were reported. Among these molecules, se veral were found to be efficient photosensitizers in an in vitro assay usin g the human tumoral cell line HT29. Moreover, glycosylated benzochlorin and azaporphyrins, whose absorption bands in the red region of the visible spe ctrum are substantially increased as compared to porphyrins, display a good photocytotoxicity on tumor cells after irradiation with wavelength above 5 90 nm. (C) 1999 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. [S1083- 3668(99)00703-0].