Photodynamic Therapy and Applications in Cancer

Abstract

 The idea of using light as a therapeutic tool has been popular for thousands of years. Scientific discoveries in line with technological innovations have contributed to the advancement of photodynamic therapy as a therapeutic modality. Photodynamic therapy is based on the generation of highly reactive species that alter the molecular systematics of cells through interactions between light, photosensitizer, and molecular oxygen. It has a minimally invasive protocol that can be combined with other clinical methods or can be stand-alone. The development of photosensitizers with the integration of nanotechnological approaches has provided favorable results over the years in malignant and non-malignant diseases by facilitating target-site action, selectivity, and controllable drug release. This chapter presents a review of photodynamic therapy with its important aspects; history, mechanism of action, cellular effects, integration into nanoscale drug delivery systems, and combinational therapeutic approaches in cancer.