A novel Pim-1 kinase-targeted photosensitizer to combat triple-negative breast cancer with enhanced photodynamic efficacy and reduced metastasis.

As one of the most malignant breast cancer types, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) treatment is a particularly great challenge in the current era of precision medicine. Due to the limited effectiveness and targeting of current treatment methods, it is urgently need to develop an effective precision strategy to combat TNBC. Herein, a novel TNBC targeted molecular drug based on zinc(II) phthalocyanine (BF-Pc) was rationally designed by conjugating a Pim-1 kinase inhibitor with high TNBC selectivity. In our in vitro investigation, BF-Pc not only exhibits extremely high targeting to TNBC cells overexpressed Pim-1 kinases, but also shows ultra-efficient photocytotoxicity toward TNBC cells far beyond the normal cells. Significantly, BF-Pc -induced PDT can obviously suppress TNBC cell migration and invasion. The proposed manner in our work offers a promising approach to combat TNBC effectively and precisely. [Display omitted] • A novel targeted photosensitizers designed to combat triple negative breast cancer. • BF-Pc exhibits high affinity to triple negative breast cancer cells. • BF-Pc has remarkable photocytotoxicity and reduced toxicity toward normal cells. • BF-Pc can significantly inhibit the migration of triple negative breast cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]