Fig. 1: In vitro system for comparing photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photoimmunotherapy (PIT).

Schematic depiction comparing the mechanisms of PDT (a) and PIT (b). In traditional PDT, unconjugated BPD is taken up indiscriminately by cells, resulting in cytotoxicity regardless of cell type. In PIT, EGFR-targeting immunoconjugates are selectively taken up by EGFR+ cells, resulting in selective killing of EGFR+ cancer cells. c Experimental timeline depicting treatment and control groups for PDT and PIT studies.