Photodynamic therapy

What it is

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment that uses light to kill cancer cells. It works by using a light-sensitive medication, called a photosensitizer, which is activated by light of a specific wavelength, producing a chemical reaction that kills cancer cells.

What research shows

Studies suggest that PDT can be effective in treating various types of cancer, including skin cancer, lung cancer, and glioblastoma. Evidence indicates that combining PDT with other treatments, such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy, can improve outcomes. For example, one study found that PDT combined with anticancer drug therapy improved survival in patients with malignant neoplasms.

Current status

PDT is a treatment option that can be used in combination with other therapies to improve outcomes for certain types of cancer. However, more research is needed to fully understand its potential and limitations.

Key studies

• PMID 42121882

  Combining PDT with systemic anticancer drug therapies offers a promising strategy to achieve synergistic effects and overcome resistance.

  PubMed ↗
• PMID 42118207

  Incorporating the clinical ionizable lipid SM-102 into light-activated liposomes containing the verteporfin-conjugate improved photochemical immunogenic cell death and survival in vivo.

  PubMed ↗
• PMID 42123541

  PDT is a minimally invasive treatment choice that relies on the interaction between a photosensitizer, light of an appropriate wavelength, and tissue oxygen, leading to reactive oxygen species generation and selective cytotoxicity.

  PubMed ↗