Photodynamic Therapy

• Published in: JNCI : Journal of the National Cancer Institute Vol. 90; no. 12; pp. 889 - 905
• Main Authors: Dougherty, Thomas J., Gomer, Charles J., Jori, Giulio, Kessel, David, Korbelik, Mladen, Moan, Johan, Peng, Qian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cary, NC Oxford University Press 17-06-1998; Oxford Publishing Limited (England)
• Subjects: Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Cancer; Clinical trials; Clinical Trials as Topic; Dihematoporphyrin Ether - therapeutic use; Humans; Inflammation; Light; Medical sciences; Neoplasms - drug therapy; Neoplasms - immunology; Photochemotherapy; Photoradiation therapy and photosensitizing agent; Photosensitizing Agents - therapeutic use; Therapy; Treatment with physical agents; Treatment. General aspects; Tumors; Human; Photodynamic therapy; Treatment; Review; Malignant tumor; Mechanism of action; Photochemotherapy; Photosensitizer
• ISSN: 0027-8874; 1460-2105
• DOI: 10.1093/jnci/90.12.889

Photodynamic therapy involves administration of a tumorlocalizing 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. [J Natl Cancer Inst 1998;90:889-905]