Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 1998 Jun 17;90(12):889-905.
doi: 10.1093/jnci/90.12.889.

Photodynamic therapy

T J Dougherty  1 , C J Gomer, B W Henderson, G Jori, D Kessel, M Korbelik, J Moan, Q Peng
Affiliations
Review

Photodynamic therapy

T J Dougherty et al. J Natl Cancer Inst. .

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy involves administration of a tumor-localizing photosensitizing agent, which may require metabolic synthesis (i.e., a prodrug), followed by activation of the agent by light of a specific wavelength. This therapy results in a sequence of photochemical and photobiologic processes that cause irreversible photodamage to tumor tissues. Results from preclinical and clinical studies conducted worldwide over a 25-year period have established photodynamic therapy as a useful treatment approach for some cancers. Since 1993, regulatory approval for photodynamic therapy involving use of a partially purified, commercially available hematoporphyrin derivative compound (Photofrin) in patients with early and advanced stage cancer of the lung, digestive tract, and genitourinary tract has been obtained in Canada, The Netherlands, France, Germany, Japan, and the United States. We have attempted to conduct and present a comprehensive review of this rapidly expanding field. Mechanisms of subcellular and tumor localization of photosensitizing agents, as well as of molecular, cellular, and tumor responses associated with photodynamic therapy, are discussed. Technical issues regarding light dosimetry are also considered.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. von Tappeiner H, Jodlbauer A. Über die Wirkung der photodynamischen (fluorescierenden) Stoffe auf Protozoen und Enzyme. Deutsches Arch Klin Med. 1904;39:427–487.
    1. Blum HF. Photodynamic action and diseases caused by light. New York: Reinhold; 1941. Reprinted. New York: Hafner, 1964.
    1. Moan J, Berg K. The photodegradation of porphyrins in cells can be used to estimate the lifetime of singlet oxygen. Photochem Photobiol. 1991;53:549–553. - PubMed
    1. Dougherty TJ, Henderson B. Historical perspective: Schwartz S, Winkelman JW, Lipson RL. In: Henderson BW, Dougherty TJ, editors. Photodynamic therapy. New York: Marcel Dekker Inc; 1992. pp. 1–15.
    1. Moan J. Porphyrin photosensitization and phototherapy. Photochem Photobiol. 1986;43:681–690. - PubMed

MeSH terms

  NODES
admin 1
twitter 2