Hybrid Nanocrystalline Theranostic Agents Designed for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Photothermal, and Photodynamic Therapies Against Cancer

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising, effective, and non‐invasive treatment for superficial cancers, utilizing reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by induced light‐irradiated photosensitizers (PS) to provoke cancer cell death. Photothermal therapy (PTT) on the other hand, relies on heat generation by light‐irradiated PS for effective thermal cancer treatment. Both treatments have limitations when applied individually; however, a synergistic approach combining both PDT and PTT could overcome these shortcomings. Protoporphyrin (PpIX) is an effective and widely used PS for PDT but in its molecular form, its application is hindered by significant biopharmaceutical drawbacks, such as high hydrophobicity.