A poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)-based AIE-active photosensitizer with aggregation-enhanced reactive oxygen species for efficient photodynamic therapy

Abstract

Developing efficient photosensitizers (PSs) with enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation capability in the aggregated state is essential for effective photodynamic therapy (PDT). Here, we designed an amphiphilic poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)-based copolymer (PN-TPA-yne) for the first time by conjugating with aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-active PS (TPA-T-yne) using amino-yne click chemistry. The resultant PN-TPA-yne forms water-soluble nano-assemblies with robust AIE and efficient ROS generation, thereby enhancing PDT efficacy and resolving the major issues of conventional PSs.