title: Approaches to improve photodynamic therapy of cancer.
abstract: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a clinically approved method of tumor treatment. Its unique mechanism of action results from minimal invasiveness and high selectivity towards transformed cells. However, visible light used to excite most photosensitizers has rather limited ability to penetrate tissues resulting in insufficient destruction of deeply seated malignant cells. Therefore, novel strategies for further potentiation of the anticancer effectiveness of PDT have been developed. These include combined treatments with surgery, chemo- and radiotherapy, strategies targeting cytoprotective mechanisms induced in PDT-treated cells, as well as attempts aimed at enhancement of PDT-mediated antitumor immune response. Moreover, new photosensitizers and novel light sources are being developed. Impressive progress in nanotechnology and understanding of tumor cell biology rise hopes for further improvements in this elegant and promising method of cancer treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Centre of Biostructure Research, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1A F building, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Malgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Firczuk
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Winiarska
authors.forename: Angelika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Szokalska
authors.forename: Malgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jodlowska
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Swiech
authors.forename: Kamil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bojarczuk
authors.forename: Pawel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Salwa
authors.forename: Dominika
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nowis
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity / Q000187:drug effects; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D036103:Nanotechnology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species