Current evidence and applications of photodynamic therapy in dermatology

Abstract

In photodynamic therapy (PDT) a photosensitizer – a molecule that is activated by light – is administered and exposed to a light source. This leads both to destruction of cells targeted by the particular type of photosensitizer, and immunomodulation. Given the ease with which photosensitizers and light can be delivered to the skin, it should come as no surprise that PDT is an increasingly utilized therapeutic in dermatology. PDT is used commonly to treat precancerous cells, sun-damaged skin, and acne. It has reportedly also been used to treat other conditions including inflammatory disorders and cutaneous infections. This review discusses the principles behind how PDT is used in dermatology, as well as evidence for current applications of PDT.

Oligo- and polypeptide conjugates of cationic porphyrins: binding, cellular uptake, and cellular localization

“…However, it was approved also in non-oncological applications, such as the treatment of agerelated macular degeneration, polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (Ziemssen and Heimann 2012) or dermatological diseases (Wan and Lin 2014) or as an alternative of antimicrobials.…”

Susceptibility of In Vitro Melanoma Skin Cancer to Photoactivated Hypericin versus Aluminium(III) Phthalocyanine Chloride Tetrasulphonate

“…The selective and easy application of photosensitizers (PSs) and light delivery to skin has led PDT to be an increasingly exploited therapy in dermatology [7]. The benefits of PDT are its selective treatment of diseased area, while preserving neighboring normal tissue and the excellent cosmetic effects after treatment [8]. 5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA (Levulan®)); methyl 5-aminolevulinate (MAL (Metvix®)); and metatetrahydroxyphenyl chlorine (Foscan/Temoporfin) are currently approved PSs for the treatment of actinic keratosis (AK), basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and neck and head cancers [8, 9].…”

“…The benefits of PDT are its selective treatment of diseased area, while preserving neighboring normal tissue and the excellent cosmetic effects after treatment [8]. 5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA (Levulan®)); methyl 5-aminolevulinate (MAL (Metvix®)); and metatetrahydroxyphenyl chlorine (Foscan/Temoporfin) are currently approved PSs for the treatment of actinic keratosis (AK), basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and neck and head cancers [8, 9]. Side-effects of burning and stinging have been reported during treatments, and sometimes after treatment transient localized erythema, edema, and crusting have been noted [10].…”

Differential susceptibility of primary cultured human skin cells to hypericin PDT in an in vitro model

“…Furthermore, the recent advent of daylight-mediated PDT for topical PDT, reduces the medical costs, making it an even more attractive treatment option [7][8][9]. Currently, porfimer sodium (Photofrin Ò ), 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) (Levulan Ò ) and its methyl ester (MAL) (Metvix Ò ), Visudyne Ò and Foscan Ò are the most commonly used FDA-approved photosensitizers (PS) however, other promising types of PS include chlorins, phthalocyanines and naphthodianthrones [4,[10][11][12]. We have recently reported on the increased efficacy of the napthodianthrone compound, hypericin, in killing both non-melanoma and melanoma cells in vitro [13][14][15][16][17][18].…”