17α-[4,4-difluoro-8-(4-ethynylphenyl)-1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene]-19-nortestosterone

17α-[4,4-difluoro-8-(4-ethynylphenyl)-1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene]-19-nortestosterone is a fluorescent steroid-BODIPY conjugate developed as a theranostic agent for cancer imaging and therapy. It consists of a 19-nortestosterone (nandrolone) scaffold linked at the 17α position to a boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) fluorophore via an ethynylphenyl spacer. This conjugate is designed to target cells expressing the androgen receptor (AR), which is frequently overexpressed in prostate and certain breast cancers. Upon binding to the AR, the conjugate is internalized through energy-dependent clathrin- and caveolae-mediated endocytosis. The BODIPY moiety provides high-contrast fluorescence for cellular imaging and also functions as a photosensitizer; upon visible light irradiation, it generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) to induce localized cell death, demonstrating potential for photodynamic therapy (PDT).

Other names

17α-ethynyl-BODIPY-19-nortestosteroneNandrolone-BODIPY conjugate19-nortestosterone-BODIPY conjugate