Photodynamic Therapy

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) employs light activation of tissue-localized photosensitizer in an oxygen-dependent process which initiates oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) involves the activation of a previously administered photosensitizing agent by visible light to induce tumor necrosis. Photosensitizers are topically applied in the treatment of skin tumors to avoid systemic side effects. The main dermatology indications for topical PDT are superficial nonmelanoma skin cancer and dysplasia, notably superficial basal carcinoma (BCC), Bowen's disease (BD), and actinic keratosis (AK). In this chapter, we evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of aminolevulinic acid (ALA) as a photosensitizer (ALA-PDT) in combination with CO 2 laser in the treatment of dermatological disease from basics to clinic research.