Preliminary In Vitro Evaluation of Some Porphyrins Using Human Breast Tumor Cells

Background: Tetrapyrrolic compounds, such as porphyrins and metalloporphyrins, are highly interesting for pharmaceutical chemistry designs considering their good biocompatibility and therapeutic potential. Objective: The aim of the present work was a preliminary in vitro evaluation of some unsymmetrical porphyrins and the corresponding symmetrical structures as potential candidates for the photodynamic therapy of malignant tumors. Methods: The biocompatibility of compounds was assessed in terms of their in vitro effect on the viability and proliferation of breast human carcinoma MCF-7 cells and human normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Results: Results indicated that unsymmetrical and symmetrical porphyrins were non-toxic against tumor MCF-7 cells in the concentration range of 0.2–2μM, making them valuable candidates for further development as photosensitizers for PDT in tumors. Moreover, unsymmetrical compounds tended to restore the response of normal and tumor cells affected by the vehicle (dimethyl sulfoxide) used for the initial solubilization of porphyrins, while the symmetrical compounds were less active in this respect. Conclusion: Unsymmetrical A3B type porphyrins prove enhanced capacity as potential theranostic agents in interaction with human carcinoma MCF-7 cells, despite reduced differences with the corresponding symmetrical form.