Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of new chlorin e6 glycoconjugates

New water soluble conjugates of chlorin e6 derivative–zinc complex with β- d -galactose or β- d -glucose have been synthesized as potential agents for the photodynamic therapy of cancer. They exhibit photoinduced cytotoxicity at low micromolar concentrations with IC50(dark)/IC50(light) ratio of ∼50.