Link to DOI – 10.1039/d1cb00146a
Ruthenium complexes have emerged as a promising class of compounds for use as photosensitizers
(PSs) in photodynamic therapy (PDT) due to their attractive photophysical properties and relative ease ofcchemical alteration. While promising, they generally are not inherently targeting to disease sites and mayctherefore be prone to side effects and require higher doses. Aptamers are short oligonucleotides thatcbind specific targets with high affinity. One such aptamer is AS1411, a nucleolin targeting, G-quadruplexcforming, DNA aptamer. Here we present the first example of direct conjugation of a Ru(II) polypyridyl complex-based PS to an aptamer and an assessment of its in vitro cancer cell specific photosensitization including discussion of the challenges faced.