Emerging Horizons in Cancer Therapy: Illuminating the Potential of Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) For Enhanced Treatment Strategies

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) involves light activation, in presence of molecular oxygen, and certain dyes that are taken up by the target tissue. The therapy includes giving a photosensitizing drug to the target tissue, which accumulates and then exposing the tissue to a precise wavelength of light. The medicine is activated by the light and release reactive oxygen species that kill the target tissue. PDT is a medical treatment that treats specific illnesses by using light-sensitive medicines and particular light sources. The dyes used in the therapy are termed as photo sensitizers. The mechanism of interaction of the photo sensitizers and light along with the effects produced in the target tissue. Current status of clinical PDT is discussed along with the new photo sensitizers being used and their role in therapy. Despite the promising results of PDT, significant additional work is needed to bring this new modality of treatment into modern clinical practice. Improvements in the area of light source delivery, light dosimetry and computation of models of treatment are necessary to proper treatment delivery. The present work encompasses new insights on PDT to combat various types of cancer cells as a novel technique with its specific limitation and future aspects.