Open AccessPhotodynamic therapy of cancer: An update
Author(s) -
Agostinis Patrizia,
Berg Kristian,
Cengel Keith A.,
Foster Thomas H.,
Girotti Albert W.,
Gollnick Sandra O.,
Hahn Stephen M.,
Hamblin Michael R.,
Juzeniene Asta,
Kessel David,
Korbelik Mladen,
Moan Johan,
Mroz Pawel,
Nowis Dominika,
Piette Jacques,
Wilson Brian C.,
Golab Jakub
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
ca: a cancer journal for clinicians
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 62.937
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1542-4863
pISSN - 0007-9235
DOI - 10.3322/caac.20114
Subject(s) - photodynamic therapy , medicine , cancer , cancer treatment , cancer research , therapeutic effect , toxicity , oncology , pharmacology , chemistry , organic chemistry
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a clinically approved, minimally invasive therapeutic procedure that can exert a selective cytotoxic activity toward malignant cells. The procedure involves administration of a photosensitizing agent followed by irradiation at a wavelength corresponding to an absorbance band of the sensitizer. In the presence of oxygen, a series of events lead to direct tumor cell death, damage to the microvasculature, and induction of a local inflammatory reaction. Clinical studies revealed that PDT can be curative, particularly in early stage tumors. It can prolong survival in patients with inoperable cancers and significantly improve quality of life. Minimal normal tissue toxicity, negligible systemic effects, greatly reduced long‐term morbidity, lack of intrinsic or acquired resistance mechanisms, and excellent cosmetic as well as organ function‐sparing effects of this treatment make it a valuable therapeutic option for combination treatments. With a number of recent technological improvements, PDT has the potential to become integrated into the mainstream of cancer treatment. CA Cancer J Clin 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society, Inc.