The review of photosensityzers for photodynamic therapy and fluorescent diagnosis, which are being developed, investigated and applied in clinical practice in Russia and other countries, is represented. Principal properties of photosensitizers based on derivatives of hematoporfirin, chlorines, phtalocyanines, naphthalocyanines, benzoporphyrins, pheophorbides, porphycenes etc are described. Main drugs based on these agents are listed, the field of clinical application is indicated. Special consideration is given to phtalocyanines derivatives and its structural analogues. In particular Russian photosensitizers developed in Research Institute of Organic Intermediates and Dyes under the Program for development and health care practical assimilation of new methods and means of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer, infection and other hazardous diseases are traversed in the article. Methods of synthesis are described, spectral, physical and biological characteristics of synthesized compounds are shown.

The results of hardware and tool development in photodynamic therapy and fluorescence diagnostics performed by the Natural Research Center, A.M. Prokhorov General Physics Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences in collaboration with several research and medical institutes are presented. Physical and technical aspects of the problem are mentioned. We describe schemes and the principle of operation of devices which we use with our medical colleagues in clinical and experimental studies. Some results of clinical use of the developed devices and methods are presented.