Photodynamic therapy.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a photochemical process that uses a photosensitizer drug activated by laser light to produce mucosal ablation. Porfimer sodium PDT has proved long-term efficacy and durability in the treatment of Barrett's esophagus and high-grade dysplasia and early esophageal adenocarcinoma. Its use has been limited by serious side effects including prolonged cutaneous photosensitivity and stricture formation. Other photosensitizers with a better safety profile have been used mostly in Europe with limited experience. The future of PDT lies on a better understanding of dosimetry, tissue properties, and host genetic factors.
Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 1466, Houston, TX 77030-4009, USA. mdavila@mdanderson.org
Marta L
ML
Davila
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017323:Dihematoporphyrin Ether / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008652:Mesoporphyrins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000191:economics; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000188:drug therapy*
D008652:Mesoporphyrins; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid; D017323:Dihematoporphyrin Ether; C072269:temoporfin