title: Photodynamic therapy: current status and future directions.
abstract: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a minimally invasive therapeutic modality used for the management of a variety of cancers and benign diseases. The destruction of unwanted cells and tissues in PDT is achieved by the use of visible or near-infrared radiation to activate a light-absorbing compound (a photosensitizer, PS), which, in the presence of molecular oxygen, leads to the production of singlet oxygen and other reactive oxygen species. These cytotoxic species damage and kill target cells. The development of new PSs with properties optimized for PDT applications is crucial for the improvement of the therapeutic outcome. This review outlines the principles of PDT and discusses the relationship between the structure and physicochemical properties of a PS, its cellular uptake and subcellular localization, and its effect on PDT outcome and efficacy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, Kuwait University, Jabriya, Kuwait.
authors.forename: Ludmil
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Benov
mesh_terms: D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000187:drug effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000187:drug effects; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface