PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY

PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY

Photodynamic therapy is a non-thermal technique that uses light and not heat from light, to induce tissue damage and initiate the body to form a repair response to replace the damaged tissue. This occures through numerous standard steps in a clinical setting.

Administration of a photosensitizing drug, which becomes retained by tissue, including the malignant or diseased or damaged skin/tissue. The light from the therapy source, which can be controlled, is directed towards the agent, and activates the drug to form a cytotoxic oxygen species and free radicals. These molecules subsequently act on their surrounding tissue, causeing apoptosis/necrosis, death of cells, vascular damage, thereby decreasing that tissues access to blood and leading to death, and recruitment of inflammatory cells, like T cells and macrophages that can clear the area of foreign and malignant cells.

Photodynamic therapy treatment is as follows: Patients are selected, and certain people with specific infections are treated to prevent a flare (e.g. herpes). The skin is prepared and aminolevulinic acid is appplied, and allowed to penetrate and convert to its active form through time. Light at a specific wavelength to the drug is applied. Subsequently suncreen is used and the patient must follow-up with their physicians.

PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY LINKS TO ALL YOUR QUESTIONS

Photodynamic Therapy Drugs

Aminolevulinic Acid

Light Sources for Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic Dose

Photodynamic Therapy Uses

Actinic Keratoses and Photodynamic Therapy

Acne and Photodynamic Therapy

Sebaceous Hyperplasia and Photodynamic Therapy

Photorejuvenation

Future Uses of Photodynamic Therapy