Endoperoxides Compounds for Highly Efficient Cancer Treatment under Hypoxia

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) for cancer treatment has garnered tremendous attention with its promising non-invasiveness, low side effects, and spatiotemporal selectivity. However, the hypoxic microenvironment in solid tumours remains a serious resistant factor to reducing the effects of PDT. Endoperoxides are successfully utilized as the chemical storage or supplier of singlet oxygen (1O2), the active substance for PDT in materials and other domains. Recent reports indicated that this type of compound could remarkably enhance the therapeutic effects of PDT under hypoxia. This concept mainly introduces a few representative endoperoxides and the outlook of their potent application for treating hypoxic cancer cells. © 2022 Wiley-VCH GmbH.