Project information
Next-Generation Polymethinium Salts as a Novel Strategy for Migrastatic and Photoactivated Therapies

In 2022, cancer caused approximately 9.7 million deaths worldwide, with metastases being the primary cause of mortality. Despite advancements in early cancer screening and therapies, treatment outcomes remain limited for many patients due to cancer's ability to evade immune defenses and metastasize. This project aims to address these challenges by developing new-generation polymethinium salts (ngPMS) for use in migrastatic applied therapy and photoactivated therapies (MAT and PAT). These innovative compounds offer dual theranostic capabilities, providing both diagnostic imaging and therapeutic intervention.
Migrastatic therapy targets cancer cell migration, a critical process in metastasis formation. By disrupting mitochondrial function and ATP production, ngPMS can inhibit cancer cell motility and invasiveness. This approach aims to prevent the spread of cancer from primary tumors to distant sites. Concurrently, ngPMS also hold potential in photodynamic therapy (PDT), a minimally invasive treatment that uses light to activate photosensitizers within cancer cells. This activation generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) that selectively destroy cancer cells while stimulating an antitumor immune response.
Combining MAT and PAT represents a promising strategy for managing advanced cancers, especially metastatic melanoma. The project aims to optimize ngPMS compounds for both therapies, reducing tumor spread and eliminating existing metastases.

By investigating the mechanisms of PMS in vitro and in vivo, this project aims to develop more effective treatments for advanced cancers. The potential to prevent metastasis while simultaneously eradicating primary tumors and stimulating long-term immune surveillance offers a new avenue in cancer therapy. Ultimately, the findings could contribute to more personalized and less toxic treatment options for patients, addressing unmet needs in cancer management.