Objective: To investigate the preparation of liposomal sinoporphyrin sodium (DVDMS-L) and its photodynamic killing effect against cholangiocarcinoma cells. 
Methods: The DVDMS-L particles were prepared by thin-film hydration technique, and the particle size and zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency were determined. The cholangiocarcinoma HICC-9810 cells were exposed to the same concentration gradient (0, 0.06, 0.12, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 μmol/L) of DVDMS-L or free sinoporphyrin sodium (DVDMS) under a light dose irradiation of 10 J/cm2 for 4 h, and then, the photodynamic killing effects of DVDMS-L and DVDMS on HICC-9810 cells were determined by CCK8 assay.
Results: Of the prepared DVDMS-L, the average particle size was (113.7±14.2) nm, Zeta potential was – (24.5±3.2) mV, and encapsulation efficiency was (61.74±1.49) %. The viability of HICC-9810 cells was significantly decreased after exposure to either DVDMS-L or DVDMS in a concentration-dependent manner, where the effect of DVDMS-L was significantly greater than that of DVDMS under the same concentration (0.12–
1 μmol/L), with the IC50 of 0.19 and 0.42 μmol/L respectively (all P<0.05).
Conclusion: DVDMS-L is successfully prepared and its photodynamic effect against cholangiocarcinoma cells is superior to that of DVDMS.