Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) in Oncology

Dear Colleagues,

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a minimally invasive therapeutic modality approved for treatment of several types of cancer and non-oncological disorders. PDT is able to selectively destroy tumours accessible to light, being used in dermatology for the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancers (basal cell carcinoma and Bowen disease) and precancerous lesions (actinic keratosis) as well as for the treatment of head and neck cancer, endoscopically accessible tumours such as pulmonary, bladder, gastrointestinal and gynaecological neoplasms. Moreover, interstitial PDT has been proposed for solid tumors such as brain and prostate cancer. Additionally, PDT can be used for cancer diagnose being theragnosis a promising technique based for targeted fluorescent imaging and PDT. Although photofrin, aminolevulinic acid and its ester derivatives are the main compounds used in clinical trials, newer photosensitizers and delivery tools are being evaluated. From the first articles published by the group of Dougherty, T.J. that describe the advantages and applications of PDT in the eighties, many investigations the mechanisms of action, new photosensitizers and new cancer applications have been performed.

This special Issue on Cancers is focused on photodynamic therapy and it would include original articles on aspects related with treatment of cancer. In particular, research on photochemical mechanisms, new photosensitizers and delivery tools, cellular and tissue targets, cellular response (cell death and survival), vascular damage and immune response by using different cellular and animal models. Translational work describing the value of PDT alone or in combination with other treatment modalities in cancer treatment will also be included.

Prof. Dr. Ángeles Juarranz
Dr. Yolanda Gilaberte
Dr. Salvador González
Guest Editors

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