Researchers from the MTA–HUN-REN RCNS Lendület (“Momentum”) Chemical Biology Research Group have developed a new family of molecules that enables the precise, light-controlled activation of drugs. The results were published in one of the world’s leading scientific journals, the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
The research focuses on so-called “photocages.” These are special molecules that temporarily inactivate active ingredients: through a chemical bond, they significantly reduce their biological activity. However, when illuminated with light of the appropriate wavelength (harmless to living organisms) this bond rapidly breaks down, and the drug becomes active again at the desired site.
The newly developed system is outstanding in several respects. On the one hand, it is compatible with light sources already used in clinical practice (such as 630 nm red light). On the other hand, it is extremely stable in the dark, meaning the active ingredient is not activated prematurely.
The researchers have shown that just a few seconds of illumination is sufficient to release the active ingredient.
The effectiveness of the technology is particularly well illustrated by the testing of a potent anticancer agent, monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE). This substance is extremely toxic even in very small quantities; however, in its photocage-inactivated form, its toxicity can be reduced to nearly one-thousandth of its original level. At the same time, the full effect can be restored through targeted light irradiation.
The researchers have validated the method’s efficacy on multiple levels: in conventional cell cultures, in more advanced 3D tumor spheroid models, and in living systems.
In collaboration with Austrian researchers, they demonstrated the method on tumors grown in chicken embryos. Illuminated tumors showed reduced angiogenesis and cell division, whereas in the absence of light, the effect was much weaker.
The method is promising not only for anti-tumor therapies. The researchers also demonstrated that it is suitable for the precise regulation of rapid biological processes, such as the light-controlled activation of cell surface receptors. In the long term, this could even provide new tools for influencing the targeted functioning of the nervous system.
Although clinical application requires further research, the results represent an important step toward light-activated, targeted drug therapies, particularly chemotherapy solutions aimed at reducing side effects.
Via hun-ren.hu, Featured image: Pexels
