An Update for Photodynamic Therapy as a Versatile Tool for Biological Breakthroughs

Dear Colleagues,

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an effective and valuable clinical procedure for the treatment of cancer or microorganisms. This clinical method combines a photosensitizer (PS), molecular oxygen, and visible or near-infrared light irradiation for the production of cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to the destruction of cancer cells or microorganisms. Comparing this method with conventional therapies, PDT has several returns because it is a relatively non-invasive procedure. Because irradiation is restricted to the biological target, and the PS accumulates mainly in a specific site, it provides a lower systemic toxicity and a selective destruction. The PDT methodology also has a great tolerability profile, the absence of particular resistance mechanisms, a great cosmetic outcome, and the capability to promote the immune approach. Nevertheless, the PDT has certain limitations, and therefore, there is a substantial possibility for development, particularly in the area of new efficient PS drugs. Promising PS should be logically designed to match the features of an ideal PS drug.

The purpose of this Special Issue centered on Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is to present the latest information in this topic, especially new PS drugs, their photochemical and photobiological properties, and cancer/microorganism therapies. Special importance is dedicated to the design and synthesis of the PS and to their photophysical properties. Moreover, the biological evaluation of each formulation will be emphasized, expecting that the collected knowledge will encourage the development of other effective photoactive drugs. We invite original research manuscripts and comprehensive reviews covering recent findings related to the abovementioned topics.

Dr. Leandro M. O. Lourenço
Dr. João P. C. Tomé
Dr. Augusto C. Tomé
Guest Editors

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• photodynamic theraphy (aPDT)
• photochemistry
• dyes
• photosensitizers
• porphyrins, phthalocyanines, and other derivatives
• reactive oxygen species (ROS)
• singlet oxygen
• cancer