A systematic review of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of pre-cancerous skin conditions, Barrett’s oesophagus and cancers of the biliary tract, brain, head and neck, lung, oesophagus and skin

Abstract

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Progress in dermatology

“…The exogenous exposure of skin cancer precursors and skin cancers to a physiological heme precursor (ALA) results in selective accumulation of porphyrins, predominantly protoporphyrin IX, in the neoplastic cells. The major advantage of PDT over surgical methods of skin cancer treatment is a better cosmetic outcome (little to no scarring) [20][21][22][23]. The challenge here is how to improve on a suboptimal response rate that has been attributed to variations in porphyrin formation rates between different tumors and between different patients.…”

How Mainstream Medicine Sees Photodynamic Therapy in the United Kingdom

“…He then addressed the current status of PDT use in the United Kingdom for skin, lung, esophageal, head and neck, bile duct, and brain cancers based on a 2010 Health Technology Assessment (HTA) report (available at www.hta.ac.uk/1854) 1 ; consensus opinions from professional groups, specialist societies, and clinical study groups; and scant data from the literature. The bottom line is that, outside of dermatology, PDT in oncology is not yet a strongly evidence-based treatment and well-constructed, international collaborative clinical trials are sorely needed to support the wealth of clinical experience with PDT and to confirm its effectiveness compared with established options in treating other types of cancers.…”

“…1 Of the 12,522 total references identified, only 699 were potentially relevant. Of the 88 evaluable trials, half focused on PDT for skin conditions.…”

Protoporphyrin IX-loaded magnetoliposomes as a potential drug delivery system for photodynamic therapy: Fabrication, characterization and in vitro study

“…However, cancer patients may have medications remaining in their bodies for up to six weeks after administration, and their quality of life can be severely affected by PDT side effects. The most common side effects are mild to moderate burning, stinging, erythema and pain [17]. New drug research is continuing around the world to minimize these types of side effects and increase the use and efficacy of PDT [18].…”