Photodynamic Therapy
Open accessAbstract
Photodynamic therapy involves administration of a tumor-localizing photosensitizing agent, which may require metabolic synthesis (i.e., a prodrug), followed by activation of the agent by light of a specific wavelength. This therapy results in a sequence of photochemical and photobiologic processes that cause irreversible photodamage to tumor tissues. Results from preclinical and clinical studies conducted worldwide over a 25-year period have established photodynamic therapy as a useful treatment approach for some cancers. Since 1993, regulatory approval for photodynamic therapy involving use of a partially purified, commercially available hematoporphyrin derivative compound (Photofrin) in patients with early and advanced stage cancer of the lung, digestive tract, and genitourinary tract has been obtained in Canada, The Netherlands, France, Germany, Japan, and the United States. We have attempted to conduct and present a comprehensive review of this rapidly expanding field. Mechanisms of subcellular and tumor localization of photosensitizing agents, as well as of molecular, cellular, and tumor responses associated with photodynamic therapy, are discussed. Technical issues regarding light dosimetry are also considered.
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Apart from direct cellular cytotoxicity, vascular shutdown and local inflammatory reaction contribute to the overall PDT effect.
“It is generally agreed that apart from the direct cellular cytotoxicity, two other important factors contribute to the overall PDT effect: the vascular shutdown and local inflammatory reaction [1,2,3,4].”
From Aminolevulinic Acid (ALA) as a Prodrug in Photodynamic Therapy of Cancer (2011) · cites this paper as [2]
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- Authors
- Dougherty, T. J., Gomer, C. J., Henderson, B. W., Jori, G., Kessel, D., Korbelik, M., Moan, J., & Peng, Q.
- Affiliations
- Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (US)
- University of Southern California (US)
- BC Cancer Agency (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Peng, Q.
- Venue
- JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 1998-06-17
- Volume
- 90
- Issue
- 12
- Pages
- 889-905
- ISSN
- 0027-8874 (ISSN-L)
- 1460-2105
- PMC
- PMC4592754
- OpenAlex
- W4211024586
- Cited by
- 4,716
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 110 · 2025: 148 · 2024: 151 · 2023: 154 · 2022: 220 · 2021: 226 · 2020: 220 · 2019: 225 · 2018: 209 · 2017: 187 · 2016: 218 · 2015: 243 · 2014: 197 · 2013: 187 · 2012: 205
- FWCI
- 19.33
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Cancer Institute (R01CA023378)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Photodynamic Therapy Research Studies
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics
- Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Materials Chemistry › Porphyrin and Phthalocyanine Chemistry
- Keywords
- photodynamic therapy, photosensitizers, prodrugs, hematoporphyrin derivative, Photofrin, tumor localization, photodamage, cancer therapy, light dosimetry
- MeSH terms
- Antineoplastic Agents, Clinical Trials as Topic, Humans, Inflammation, Neoplasms, Photochemotherapy, Photosensitizing Agents, Dihematoporphyrin Ether
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