Bioactive Materials

Bioactive Materials

Volume 21, March 2023, Pages 157-174
Bioactive Materials

Review article
Recent advances in engineered polymeric materials for efficient photodynamic inactivation of bacterial pathogens

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioactmat.2022.08.011Get rights and content
Under a Creative Commons license
open access

Highlights

  • Synthetic strategies of engineered polymer-based hybrid materials integrated with photosensitizers for APDT.

  • Utilization of photosensitizer-incorporated polymeric materials in health care applications.

  • Challenges and opportunities in the future development of polymeric biomaterials with improved photo-bactericidal properties.

Abstract

Nowadays, infectious diseases persist as a global crisis by causing significant destruction to public health and the economic stability of countries worldwide. Especially bacterial infections remain a most severe concern due to the prevalence and emergence of multi-drug resistance (MDR) and limitations with existing therapeutic options. Antibacterial photodynamic therapy (APDT) is a potential therapeutic modality that involves the systematic administration of photosensitizers (PSs), light, and molecular oxygen (O2) for coping with bacterial infections. Although the existing porphyrin and non-porphyrin PSs were effective in APDT, the poor solubility, limited efficacy against Gram-negative bacteria, and non-specific distribution hinder their clinical applications. Accordingly, to promote the efficiency of conventional PSs, various polymer-driven modification and functionalization strategies have been adopted to engineer multifunctional hybrid phototherapeutics. This review assesses recent advancements and state-of-the-art research in polymer-PSs hybrid materials developed for APDT applications. Further, the key research findings of the following aspects are considered in-depth with constructive discussions: i) PSs-integrated/functionalized polymeric composites through various molecular interactions; ii) PSs-deposited coatings on different substrates and devices to eliminate healthcare-associated infections; and iii) PSs-embedded films, scaffolds, and hydrogels for regenerative medicine applications.

Keywords

Antibacterial photodynamic therapy
Polymers
Photosensitizers
Conjugation
Hydrogels
Biomaterials

Abbreviations

APDT
Antibacterial photodynamic therapy
PSs
Photosensitizers
1O2
Singlet oxygen
APTT
Antibacterial photothermal therapy
PDI
Photodynamic inactivation
ROS
Reactive oxygen species
Hp
Hematoporphyrin
Ce6
Chlorin e6
MRSA
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
BODIPY
Boron dipyrromethene
RB
Rose bengal
MB
Methylene blue
CUR
Curcumin
HYP
Hypocrellin
ICG
Indocyanine green
PCL
Poly(ε-caprolactone)
CS
Chitosan
PEI
Polyethylamine
PPIX
Protoporphyrin IX
PEG
Poly(ethylene glycol)
PDA
Polydopamine
PVA
Poly(vinyl alcohol)
CV
Crystal violet
α-CD
α-cyclodextrin
BP
Black phosphorus

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Peer review under responsibility of KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.