title: Photodynamic therapy: an update.
abstract: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising local treatment modality based on the selective accumulation of a photosensitizer in malignant tissues and the subsequent irradiation with laser light. Photodynamic therapy of malignant tumors includes biological, photochemical and photophysical processes. These processes involve: (a) absorption of photosensitizing agent; (b) selective retention of the photosensitizer in tumors and (c) irradiation of sensitized tumor by laser radiation. This report provides a review of photosensitizers, photochemistry, subcellular targets, side effects and laser involved in photodynamic therapy. In addition, gradual increase in knowledge related to in vitro and in vivo mechanisms of action of PDT, as well as some clinical applications of photodynamic therapy are presented.
authors.affiliation: Cantacuzino Institute, Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: V F
authors.initials: VF
authors.lastname: Dima
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vasiliu
authors.forename: S V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Dima
mesh_terms: D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D017323:Dihematoporphyrin Ether / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D010777:Photochemistry; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid; D017323:Dihematoporphyrin Ether