The global cancer burden continues to rise at an alarming rate, and the trend will likely persist in the coming years. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 35 million new cancer cases are predicted in 2050. This rising cancer prevalence is driving demand for advanced treatments, and one such treatment approach is photodynamic therapy.
So, what exactly is photodynamic therapy for cancer? It is a minimally invasive treatment that uses light energy and photosensitizing drugs to kill cancer cells. Its growing popularity stems from its tendency to treat certain cancer types.
Are people really into photodynamic therapy? Well, the statistics seem to suggest so. According to Coherent Market Insights (CMI), global photodynamic therapy demand is anticipated to rise at 8.6% CAGR, with total industry size reaching over US$ 8 billion by 2030. This is due to growing demand for non-invasive cancer treatments.
How Photodynamic Therapy Works?
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has the tendency to specifically target and destroy cancer cells without affecting healthy tissues. First, a photosensitizing agent is administered either intravenously or topically. These agents are absorbed by cancer cells over a certain period of time.
Once the photosensitizer gets absorbed, light is applied to the target area. This light activates the photosensitizer, which then reacts and forms a special kind of oxygen molecule that kills cancer cells. PDT can also help by alerting the immune system to attack the cancer and by destroying blood vessels that feed the cancer cells.
The FDA has approved photodynamic therapy to treat
- Advanced cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
- Actinic keratosis
- Barrett’s esophagus
- Non-small cell lung cancer
- Basal cell skin cancer
- Squamous cell skin cancer
PDT can also be used to alleviate symptoms of cancers like esophageal cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Some popular FDA-approved photodynamic therapy drugs for treating certain cancer or pre-cancers include Porfimer sodium (Photofrin), Foscan, Metvix, and Aminolevulinic acid (ALA or Levulan)
Benefits of Photodynamic Therapy
Photodynamic therapy is becoming an ideal tool for tackling several cancer types. It offers various advantages over conventional cancer treatments like chemotherapy.
- High Precision
Photodynamic therapy is a targeted therapy. It only targets cancerous cells without damaging health tissues. This high precision is adding to its growing popularity for cancer treatments.
- Minimally Invasive
Photodynamic therapy requires minimal or no incisions, thereby reducing pain and recovery times. This minimally invasive nature of PDT makes it ideal for treating different cancer types.
- Repeatability
PDT can be performed multiple times if necessary. This makes it suitable for treating recurrent cancers.
- Quick Recovery
Recovery time of photodynamic therapy is shorter compared to surgery or chemotherapy. It generally takes only a short time and is often performed on an outpatient basis.
- Fewer Side Effects
PDT mostly affects the treated area rather than the entire body. As a result, it causes no or fewer side effects.
- Cost-effectiveness
PDT is also cost-effective compared to surgery or radiation therapy. This makes it attractive for patients with limited resources.
PDT vs Chemotherapy
|
Attributes |
Chemotherapy |
Photodynamic Therapy |
|
Mechanism |
Uses Cytotoxic Drugs to Kill Cancer Cells. |
Uses a Photosensitizing Agent Activated by Light to Destroy Cancer Cells. |
|
Target Specificity |
Can Affect Both Cancerous and Healthy Rapidly Dividing Cells. |
Can Highly Target Specific Cells Exposed to Light. |
|
Effectiveness |
Effective for Metastatic Cancers. |
Effective for Localized and Surface-level Tumors. |
|
Recovery Time |
Longer Recovery Time |
Shorter Recovery Time |
|
Side Effects |
Can Cause Major Side Effects. |
Fewer Side Effects. |
Applications of Photodynamic Therapy in Cancer Treatment
Photodynamic therapy is generally used to treat cancer like
- Skin Cancer
- Lung Cancer
- Bladder Cancer
- Head and Neck Cancer
- Esophageal Cancer
Emerging Photodynamic Therapy Techniques
Improved Photosensitizers: Companies are focusing on developing novel photosensitizers with improved functionality. For instance, photosensitizers with enhanced tumor selectivity and deeper tissue penetration are being explored.
Advanced Light Delivery Systems: Advancements in light sources, such as LEDs and fiber optics, allow for more precise and efficient illumination of tumors.
Combined Therapy (Photoimmunotherapy): Researchers are also combining PDT with immunotherapy for better results.
Photodynamic therapy is emerging as an ideal treatment approach for countering cancer burden. This is due to its high precision, fewer side effects, and faster recovery compared to other conventional methods. With ongoing research and advancements in light sources, the future of photodynamic therapy looks bright. It has the potential to become an even more powerful tool in the fight against cancer.
