Photodynamic Therapy

Jessie Fredericks

What is Photodynamic Therapy?

Was discovered by a German Scientist in the 1900s
FDA approval in 1995
Treatment that uses special drugs, called photosensitivity agents, along with
light to kill cancerous cells.

How PDT works?

Place the drug into the bloodstream through a vein or put it on the surface of
the skin.
The cancer cells then absorb the drug
Drug-to-light interval (24 to 72 hours)

Then the light causes the drug to react with oxygen, which will form a
chemical that kills the nearby cells.
Each photosensitizing drug is activated by specific wavelengths and determines
how far the light can travel in the body.

 There are 2 main ways PDT is effective

1). The drug, combined with the specific light, damages blood vessels in the
tumor.
Preventing the cancer from receiving necessary nutrients to thrive

2). Helps Activate the Immune System

To help fight off the Cancer

Advantage

Disadvantage
Limitation

Targets cancer cells with little or no

damage to other tissues
Reduces side effects
Less recovery time
Used repeatedly at the same site
Less expensive

Cant penetrate deeper than 1/3 of

an inch.
Large, Metastasized tumors
Inability of light source to penetrate
large tumor, or can reach where it
may have spread

Types of photosensitizing agents

Aminolevulinic acid (ALA)
Put right on the skin
Special blue light is used to activate drug
Treats: Actinic keratosis

Porfirmer Sodium
Injected through bloodstream
Absorbed by normal and cancer cells
Treated with light after 2-3 days of injection
Treats, Barretts esopagous, lung cancer, esophageal cancer

What can be treated?

Non-small cell lung cancer
Esophageal cancer
Barretts esophagus
Actinic Keratosis
Precancerous lesions

Who should avoid PDT Treatment?

A fistula between the esophagus and the windpipe, or in the lower breathing
tubes.
A tumor spreading into a major blood vessel
Enlarged veins in the stomach or esophagus, or ulcers in the esophagus
Porphyria, or and allergy to porphyrins

Side Effects
Esophagus

Narrowing of the esophagus

Fever

Nausea, vomiting, dehydration

Lung

Shortness of breath

Coughing up blood

Pneumonia

bronchitis

Keratosis

Skin turns red and may swell or blister

Itchy, scaly skin

Studies
Studies are now being tested to use PDT for many types of cancers

Skin

Cervix

Bladder

Prostae

Brain

Vagina

Mouth

Each cancer being tested can be reached with a light, and some doctors may use PDT for the following cancers, yet they
have not yet be approved by the FDA

Studies Continued
New photosensitizing drugs are now in clinical trials.
Photocholor(HPPH)
Studied in treatment of esophageal, lung, skin and mouth and throat cancers

Resources
American Cancer Society (March 18, 2015). Photodynamic Therapy Retrieved from
www.cancer.org/treatment/treatementandsideeffects/treatmenttypes/photodynamic-thera
py
National Cancer Institute (Sept. 6, 2011). Photodynamic therapy for Cancer Retrieved
from www.cancer.gov/about-cacner/treatment/types/surgery/photodynamic-fact-sheet
National Cancer Institute (March 18, 2015). Photodynamic Therapy Retrieved from
www.cacner.gov/cacnertopics/factsheet/therapy/photodynamic
Roswell Park Cancer Institute (2010). Photodynamic Therapy: A Light at The End of The
Tunnel For Cancer Patients. Retrieved at
www.rosewellpark.org/sites/defult/files/node-files/publication/nid79744-pdfs2.pdf
R. Bargar (Feb. 15, 2016). Photodynamic Therapy For Cancer. Retrieved from
www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-photodynamic-therapy-for-cancer.htm