GLYCONANOVECTEUR

This project aims to develop tri-functional luminescent glyco-nanovectors in order to jointly ensure cancer cells targeting and two-photon imaging as well as their mono or biphotonic photodynamic therapy (PDT). The vectors are silica-based nanoparticles that encapsulate fluorescent photosensitizers. The confinement of a photosensitizer in a solid matrix should allow its use in biological environments. The photosensitizers will enable, by mean of biphotonic excitation, a high resolution cancer cells imaging. A singlet oxygen production inside the cells will be assured by mono or biphotonic excitation. Meanwhile, specific targeting will be ensured at the surface of the nanoparticles via the anchoring of a derivative of the mannose or galactose which receptors are overexpressed in mammalian cancer cells. Nanoparticles bearing this triple functionality (targeting, imaging and therapy) for cancer treatment are considered as the emerging third generation of vectors in biosciences. In the case of PDT such nanoparticles which use carbohydrates for targeting have never been described.