Reactive Oxygen Species and Growth Factors in Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), Photobiomodulation (PBM), and Radiation Therapy (RT)

Dear Colleagues,

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays a key role in photodynamic therapy and radiation therapy, especially given the increased interest in Flash RT in the latter field. With new generations of dosimetrical tools, it is becoming easier and more feasible to quantify ROS more directly via various means. This evolution has set the stage to understand the role of ROS for PDT and RT. Furthermore, the explicit dosimetry of light, photosensitizers, oxygen concentration, and radiation dosage have facilitated the ability to model the interaction and generation of ROS in PDT and RT. Direct methods have been developed to measure components of ROS, e.g., singlet oxygen (SO) detection using singlet oxygen luminescence. With Flash RT, the potential importance of ROS in explaining the difference between tumor and normal tissue killing is realized. Given the abundance of imaging techniques available for the initial staging, each clinical challenge can be met with a tailored image guidance solution.

In Photobiomodulation (PBM), various growth factors (GFs), e.g., VEGF, etc., are promoted by the application of NIR light to promote the growth of normal cells to reduce the side effects of cancer treatments. These processes usually have an upper limit on light fluence (rate) instead of a low one, which is necessary for ROS generation, producing an antioxidant effect.

This Special Issue aims to provide an up-to-date overview of the most recent (technical) advances in the field of ROS and GF modeling and detection. Discussing a variety of cancer interventions and remedies aimed at reducing the side effects of cancer treatment, we will cover the in vivo and in vitro use of innovative techniques to detect ROS and GF for a wide range of modalities. Translational efforts and work that demonstrate the benefits for patients are of particular interest.

Prof. Dr. Timothy C. Zhu
Prof. Dr. Brian C. Wilson
Guest Editors

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