Photodynamic Therapy (4th Edition)

Dear Colleagues,

Dedicating a volume to photodynamic therapy is important because it highlights the various efforts being made to understand the importance of this therapy. In 1903, Von Tappeiner, Director of the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Munich, in collaboration with his student, Oscar Raab, demonstrated the therapeutic action of light combined with a photosensitizer and oxygen, coining the term "photodynamic action". Since then, numerous studies have experimentally verified the efficacy of photodynamic theory in different biological structures. In medicine, the use of photodynamic therapy (PDT) is now well documented and codified for the treatment of oncological and non-oncological diseases, including macular degeneration of the retina and carcinomas of the esophagus and lung. In dermatology, the applications of PDT include treating oncological diseases such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and actinic keratoses. It is also used to treat non-oncological issues, such as bacterial, fungal, viral, immunological, or inflammatory infections in chronic wounds. Moreover, in cosmetology, it is used for photorejuvenation. PDT is based on the cytotoxic action of hyperactive oxygen species, particularly singlet oxygen, and superoxide anion and hydroxyl radicals, which are generated by the transfer of energy and/or electrons from a photoexcited oxygen sensitizer. Three important mechanisms are responsible for the efficacy of PDT: (1) direct tumor cell death or inflammation, (2) damage to tumor vessels, and (3) an immunological response associated with leukocyte stimulation and the release of interleukins and other cytokines, growth factors, complement components, acute phase proteins, and other immunoregulators.

Following the first three editions, we are now launching the fourth volume. This new Special Issue will continue to cover all aspects of photodynamic therapy, including new natural and synthetic photosensitizers, biomaterials, nanotechnologies, in vitro and in vivo studies. Through collaboration, this volume will strengthen and stimulate further research.

Dr. Stefano Bacci
Guest Editor

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• antimicrobial photodynamic treatment
• chronic wounds
• inflammatory dermatoses
• photobiology photochemistry
• photochemotherapy
• photosensitizing agents
• skin cancer
• oral mucosa

• Photodynamic Therapy 2.0 in Biomedicines (10 articles)
• Photodynamic Therapy (3rd Edition) in Biomedicines (8 articles)