Emerging trends of La(III)-based compounds as the strategic tools for photodynamic therapy

La(III) as the modulator of singlet oxygen generation by the photo-sensitizers, has emerged as the potential tool for the photodynamic applications. The review article highlights the emerging trends of the PDT application of La(III) complexes. [Display omitted] •Photophysical and photochemical aspects of La(III) complexes are reviewed.•We reviewed the photodynamic therapy (PDT) in vitro of wide range of La(III) complexes.•Recent advances in the area ensure the development of next-generation La(III)-based PDT agents. Lanthanides have emerged as the potential tools for the medicinal and diagnostic applications due to their unique coordination chemistry, magnetic and optical properties, photophysical or photochemical characteristics. Lanthanum(III) (f0-system) is the first element of the lanthanide series in the periodic table and probed as the efficient modulator against the singlet oxygen generating ability of different photo-sensitizers in photodynamic therapy in vitro. There is a significant progress in the development of La(III)-based nanocomposites as the potential tools for photodynamic applications either by activation with UV–visible light or X-rays. The present micro review article has highlighted the recent development of La(III)-based compounds as the PDT agents.