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Photodynamic Therapy and the Biophysics of the Tumor Microenvironment
Author(s) -
Sorrin Aaron J.,
Kemal Ruhi Mustafa,
Ferlic Nathaniel A.,
Karimnia Vida,
Polacheck William J.,
Celli Jonathan P.,
Huang HuangChiao,
Rizvi Imran
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
photochemistry and photobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.818
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1751-1097
pISSN - 0031-8655
DOI - 10.1111/php.13209
Subject(s) - photodynamic therapy , tumor microenvironment , context (archaeology) , cancer research , drug delivery , cancer therapy , cancer , immune system , medicine , tumor cells , chemistry , biology , immunology , paleontology , organic chemistry
Targeting the tumor microenvironment (TME) provides opportunities to modulate tumor physiology, enhance the delivery of therapeutic agents, impact immune response and overcome resistance. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a photochemistry‐based, nonthermal modality that produces reactive molecular species at the site of light activation and is in the clinic for nononcologic and oncologic applications. The unique mechanisms and exquisite spatiotemporal control inherent to PDT enable selective modulation or destruction of the TME and cancer cells. Mechanical stress plays an important role in tumor growth and survival, with increasing implications for therapy design and drug delivery, but remains understudied in the context of PDT and PDT‐based combinations. This review describes pharmacoengineering and bioengineering approaches in PDT to target cellular and noncellular components of the TME, as well as molecular targets on tumor and tumor‐associated cells. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of mechanical stress in the context of targeted PDT regimens, and combinations, for primary and metastatic tumors.