Photoactivated Antifungal Polymers Prepared by PET-RAFT Polymerization

Abstract

Rising invasive fungal infections necessitate the rapid development of new, highly efficient antifungal platforms with proven biocompatibility. We report a new class of photoactivated antifungal polymers that incorporate cationic, hydrophobic, and hydrophilic functionalities with a highly efficient photosensitizer. Our approach relies on the use of an acrylate-functionalized zinc(II) tetraphenylporphyrin (acryl-ZnTPP) monomer, that performs a dual role: it acts as both the photocatalyst for PET-RAFT polymerization, enabling controlled polymerization, and as an embedded photosensitizer capable of generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon light irradiation. Under green or red-light exposure, these polymers show 4–8-fold lower minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and up to 8-fold lower minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) against diverse Candida species compared with control polymers (i.e., without acryl-ZnTPP). Hemolysis assays confirm excellent hemocompatibility of these polymers containing ZnTPP as photosensitizer. This approach offers tunable, light-enhanced antifungal activity, providing a promising strategy to combat fungal infections.