Photodynamic Therapy Applications in Lung Cancer
Summary
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a minimally invasive option for the management of lung cancer, exploiting the selective uptake of a photosensitiser by tumour cells and subsequent generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon light activation. This approach enables targeted destruction of malignant tissues while sparing surrounding healthy structures. In central airways, interventional bronchoscopy–guided PDT can relieve obstruction, improve ventilation and enhance quality of life in inoperable cases. For peripheral lesions, advances in navigational bronchoscopy and interstitial fibre placement have expanded the reach of PDT beyond endobronchial disease, supporting local ablation of early-stage tumours. Intrathoracic applications combine pleurectomy with intrapleural light delivery to address pleural spread, offering a survival benefit in selected patients. Research into nanoparticle‐based photosensitisers and antibody–toxin conjugates aims to boost tumour targeting, improve light penetration and reduce off‐target effects. Ongoing efforts seek to integrate PDT with immune modulation, chemotherapy or radiotherapy to overcome hypoxia and deep‐tissue light limitations. Globally, these innovations promise to broaden therapeutic options, particularly for patients unsuited to surgery or standard chemoradiation, and to establish PDT as a component of personalised lung cancer care.
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Photodynamic Therapy Applications in Lung Cancer publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in photodynamic therapy applications in lung cancer across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Photodynamic therapy (PDT): A treatment modality that uses a light‐activated photosensitiser to produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species, selectively destroying cancer cells.
Photosensitiser: A chemical agent that preferentially accumulates in tumour tissue and releases energy upon illumination to generate reactive oxygen species.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Highly reactive molecules derived from oxygen that induce cellular damage and apoptosis during photodynamic therapy.
Bronchoscopy: A minimally invasive endoscopic technique used to visualise airways and deliver interventional treatments such as photosensitiser administration and light illumination.
Interstitial illumination: Direct delivery of therapeutic light into tumour tissue via fibreoptic probes, enabling treatment of lesions beyond the reach of surface illumination.
References
- Recent Studies in Photodynamic Therapy for Cancer Treatment: From Basic Research to Clinical Trials. Pharmaceutics (2023).
- Photodynamic therapy of lung cancer, where are we?. Frontiers in Pharmacology (2022).
- Photodynamic therapy for peripheral lung cancer. Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy (2022).
- Pleural Photodynamic Therapy and Surgery in Lung Cancer and Thymoma Patients with Pleural Spread. PLOS ONE (2015).
- Development of a new minimally invasive phototherapy for lung cancer using antibody–toxin conjugate. Thoracic Cancer (2023).
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