Research Projects

Cancer is a leading cause of death globally, with 8.4 million deaths and 14 million new patients each year. In India, the cancer population is estimated at 13.9 lakhs this year, and it is predicted to increase to 15.9 lakhs by the end of 2025. To address this challenge, new methodologies are needed, including gene therapy, immunotherapy, photodynamic, and photothermal therapy. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses photosensitizers to treat malignant tissue, generating toxic reactive oxygen species (ROs) that cause irreversible cellular damage. Photothermal therapy (PTT) uses PTT agents to destroy tumors by interacting with external lasers. There is still a need for enhancement of both therapies, and combining PTT/PDT therapy could introduce more advancements in cancer treatment. Near-infrared (NIR) light is a convenient light source due to its high tissue penetration ability. Organic photothermal agents, such as diarylethenes and spiropyrans, can fulfill the critical requirements for photothermal therapy, such as strong absorption in the NIR region, quick degradation after use, easy synthesis and modification, and nontoxicity in the absence of photoirridation. Photochromic spiropyran (sP) molecules have been explored as drug candidates for PTT/PDT therapy. Objectives include designing spiropyran-based photo-switchable ligands, synthesizing photoswitchable spiropyrane-based metal complexes, characterizing, photoelectrochemical, and calirimetric studies, and assessing the anticancer activity of photoswitichable spiropyran derivatives.