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Life
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Photodynamic Therapy for Medical Applications: From Infections to Tissue Regeneration
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Photodynamic Therapy for Medical Applications: From Infections to Tissue Regeneration

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Medical Research".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 November 2025) | Viewed by 2464

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Rafał Wiench

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Guest Editor
Department of Periodontal Diseases and Oral Mucosa Diseases, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Pl. Traugutta 2, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
Interests: oral mucosa diseases; periodontal diseases and therapy; oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs); PDT in dentistry; oral surgery; chronic mucosal diseases; otorhinolaryngology; inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity; tissue regeneration and wound healing; laser and light-based therapies in oral medicine
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Zhiwei Hu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
Interests: targeted immunotherapy; targeted photodynamic therapy; vascular tissue; necrosis; neoplasms; macular degeneration; choroidal neovascularization; lung neoplasms; breast neoplasms; neoplasm metastasis; melanoma; tumor immunology; immunotherapy, particularly antibody and CAR-NK cell immunotherapy; photodynamic therapy; gene therapy; cancer pathology; tumor angiogenesis; tumor microenvironment; immune cells; NK cells; MDSC; cancer stem cells
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an innovative and rapidly evolving treatment modality that harnesses the interaction of light, photosensitizers, and molecular oxygen to induce selective therapeutic effects. Originally developed for cancer treatment, PDT has expanded into numerous medical applications, including antimicrobial therapy, inflammation control, and tissue regeneration. This minimally invasive approach offers a promising alternative to traditional therapies by providing targeted action with reduced side effects and antimicrobial resistance concerns.

This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of PDT’s role in modern medicine and healthcare, spanning its fundamental mechanisms to clinical applications. We welcome original research, reviews, and clinical studies on novel photosensitizers, optimized light delivery systems, innovative treatment protocols, and combination therapies. Topics of interest include PDT in the management of microbial infections (antimicrobial PDT), oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs), oncology, dermatology, chronic wounds, and regenerative medicine. Additionally, research addressing mechanistic insights, safety considerations, and strategies to enhance PDT efficacy and selectivity is highly encouraged.

As PDT continues to gain traction in medical practice, this Special Issue will serve as a valuable resource for researchers, clinicians, and industry professionals working to advance its applications. We invite submissions that contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting PDT as a versatile, effective, and sustainable therapeutic approach across multiple medical disciplines.

Dr. Rafał Wiench
Dr. Zhiwei Hu
Guest Editors

Jakub Fiegler-Rudol
Assistant Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Life is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • photodynamic therapy (PDT)
  • photosensitizers
  • reactive oxygen species (ROS)
  • infections and antimicrobial PDT (aPDT)
  • tissue regeneration and wound healing
  • oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs)
  • oncology and cancer treatment
  • dermatology and skin disorders

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 311 KB  
Article
Laser Hemorrhoidoplasty: Postoperative Outcomes and Predictive Factors for Pain, Bleeding, and Recovery
by Laurențiu Augustus Barbu, Nicolae-Dragoș Mărgăritescu, Liliana Cercelaru, Tiberiu Stefăniță Țenea Cojan, Mădălina Costinela Stănică, Irina Enăchescu, Ana-Maria Țenea Cojan, Valentina Căluianu, Gabriel Florin Răzvan Mogoș and Liviu Vasile
Life 2025, 15(11), 1777; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15111777 - 19 Nov 2025
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Abstract
Background: Laser hemorrhoidoplasty (LHP) is a minimally invasive alternative to excisional hemorrhoidectomy, with promising short-term outcomes. However, predictors of postoperative pain, bleeding, and recovery remain insufficiently characterized. Methods: We conducted a prospective study including 140 patients with Goligher grade I–IV hemorrhoidal disease (January [...] Read more.
Background: Laser hemorrhoidoplasty (LHP) is a minimally invasive alternative to excisional hemorrhoidectomy, with promising short-term outcomes. However, predictors of postoperative pain, bleeding, and recovery remain insufficiently characterized. Methods: We conducted a prospective study including 140 patients with Goligher grade I–IV hemorrhoidal disease (January 2020–December 2024) at Independența Vita Plus Hospital, Craiova. All patients received preoperative diosmin and topical ointments. Procedures were performed under spinal anesthesia using a standardized 1470 nm diode laser technique. Outcomes included postoperative pain (VAS), bleeding, early and late complications, recovery time, HDSS change, and quality of life assessed with a simple 0–10 numerical scale used in routine clinical practice (not a validated QoL instrument). Results: Mean operative time was 17.9 ± 4.8 min, with minimal blood loss. Postoperative bleeding occurred in 28.6% and was mild. Early complications increased with disease stage: 10% (II), 53% (III), 68% (IV) (p < 0.001). VAS pain decreased from 2.1 on day 1 to 0.3 on day 7 (p < 0.0001). Median recovery time was 3 days, longer in advanced stages. HDSS improved from 10.3 ± 2.5 preoperatively to 1.7 ± 1.1 at 3 months (p < 0.0001). QoL numerical scores also improved significantly at 3 months. Goligher grade independently predicted late bleeding (OR 70.2), high pain (OR 4.9), and prolonged recovery (OR 8.6). No recurrences were observed at 12 months. Conclusions: LHP provides low postoperative pain, minimal bleeding, rapid recovery, and significant symptom and QoL improvement. Disease severity strongly predicts outcomes and should guide perioperative planning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photodynamic Therapy for Medical Applications: From Infections to Tissue Regeneration)

Other

Jump to: Research

16 pages, 752 KB  
Systematic Review
The Efficacy of Curcumin-Mediated Photodynamic Therapy in the Treatment of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review of In Vitro Studies
by Magdalena Kubizna, Jakub Fiegler-Rudol, Wojciech Niemczyk and Rafał Wiench
Life 2025, 15(6), 924; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15060924 - 7 Jun 2025
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Abstract
Curcumin-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a promising approach for targeting oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), a malignancy with a rising incidence. This systematic review synthesizes evidence from in vitro studies evaluating the anticancer efficacy of curcumin as a photosensitizer in PDT [...] Read more.
Curcumin-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a promising approach for targeting oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), a malignancy with a rising incidence. This systematic review synthesizes evidence from in vitro studies evaluating the anticancer efficacy of curcumin as a photosensitizer in PDT against OSCC cells. A comprehensive literature search across four databases identified eight eligible studies published between 2009 and 2024. The findings demonstrated that curcumin-PDT reduces OSCC cell viability, induces apoptosis, and impairs metabolic activity, particularly when curcumin is delivered via nanocarriers and activated with light sources near its absorption peak (430–457 nm). Despite methodological heterogeneity across cell lines, curcumin formulations, and light parameters, the photodynamic effects were reproducible and showed low dark toxicity. However, the lack of standardized protocols and absence of in vivo or clinical validation limit translational potential. Further preclinical research is needed to optimize treatment conditions and assess safety and efficacy in biological systems that more closely resemble the clinical environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photodynamic Therapy for Medical Applications: From Infections to Tissue Regeneration)
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