Cellular biomolecules in illuminated cells

The term "Cellular biomolecules in illuminated cells" is a non-molecular target classification used in pharmacological databases like ChEMBL (CHEMBL614435) to describe the collective endogenous substrates of photodynamic therapy (PDT). In PDT, a photosensitizing agent is localized in target tissue and activated by specific wavelengths of light, leading to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as singlet oxygen (National Cancer Institute, 2021). These ROS react non-specifically with nearby cellular biomolecules, causing structural degradation and loss of biological function in proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids (Castano et al., 2004, Nat Rev Cancer). This collective oxidative damage triggers cellular pathways leading to apoptosis or necrosis, which is the intended outcome for treating malignancies and other proliferative disorders (Agostinis et al., 2011, CA Cancer J Clin). Because the therapeutic action depends on the presence of light, these biomolecules are only targeted in the illuminated regions, providing spatial selectivity despite the non-specific nature of the chemical damage. This mechanism is clinically utilized in treating various conditions, including esophageal cancer, age-related macular degeneration, and actinic keratosis (FDA, 2023).

Other names

Non-molecular targetCellular components (illuminated)Photodynamic therapy substratesEndogenous biomolecular targets

Photosensitization leading to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which oxidatively damage cellular proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids (Agostinis et al., 2011).