Basic principles, applications in oncology and improved selectivity of photodynamic therapy

Maarten B. Vrouenraets, Gerard W.M. Visser, Gordon B. Snow, Guus A.M.S. Van Dongen

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleAcademicpeer-review

310 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising approach for the treatment of superficially localized tumors. This review starts with a summary of the basic principles of PDT, in which the current practice, the photochemical mechanisms, cellular and subcellular targets, as well as the most prominent photosensitizers are discussed. Next, the clinical results obtained with PDT for the treatment of a variety of tumor types are outlined. Unfortunately, most of these studies revealed a lack of tumor selectivity of the photosensitizers, which resulted in prolonged skin photosensitivity and severe normal tissue toxicity. The last section of this review, therefore, focuses on novel strategies designed to improve the tumor selectivity of photosensitizers.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)505-522
Number of pages18
JournalAnticancer research
Volume23
Issue number1 B
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2003

Keywords

  • Advanced delivery
  • Clinical photodynamic therapy
  • Photodynamic therapy
  • Photosensitizer
  • Tumor selectivity

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