Multiphoton versus single photon excitation of photosensitizers for laser-induced fluorescence diagnosis and photodynamic therapy of cancer cells

In laser-induced fluorescence diagnosis and photodynamic therapy of cancer the applied photosensitizers (PS) are often covalently derivatized with macromolecules to improve their selective accumulation in the cancerous tissue, while maintaining its single-photon excited photophysical properties. In this contribution methoxy-polyethylene glycol (MPEG, MW ~5 kDa) and human serum albumin (HSA, MW ~60 kDa) are used as PS carriers. Multiphoton (MP) excitation of the PS is favorable as compared to single-photon excitation because the penetration depth of the laser light is improved (>5 mm) due to the longer wavelength of the ~200 fs laser pulses used in this case (700-1050 nm). In this study cotton fibers and silica gel beads (