Page 22 - ITPS-8-2

INNOSC Theranostics

and Pharmacological Sciences

REVIEW ARTICLE
Current view on photodynamic therapy in

medicine

2
2
David Aebisher * , Julia Tomaszewska , Emilia Tomaka , and
1
Dorota Bartusik-Aebisher 2
1 Department of Photomedicine and Physical Chemistry, Medical College of The Rzeszów University,
Rzeszów, Subcarpathian, Poland
2 Department of Biochemistry and General Chemistry, Medical College of The Rzeszów University,
Rzeszów, Subcarpathian, Poland

Abstract

Light has been used for medical purposes for centuries, but the first steps toward
photodynamic therapy (PDT) were taken in the early 20 century. PDT is an innovative
th
therapeutic approach that involves three key components: A photosensitizer (PS),
molecular oxygen, and visible light. The destruction of diseased tissues and cells in
PDT occurs through the activation of a PS by near-infrared or visible radiation. This
activation, in the presence of molecular oxygen, generates singlet oxygen and other
reactive oxygen species. PDT has been successfully applied to treat various types of
cancer, particularly superficial ones. This review outlines the principles of PDT and
discusses its application in cancer treatment, specifically in the context of pancreatic
*Corresponding author: and esophageal cancer. While PDT is effective, it can also have adverse effects on the
David Aebisher human body, such as changes to cell and organelle membranes. PDT is a modern,
(daebisher@ur.edu.pl) non-invasive treatment modality utilized for both non-malignant conditions and
Citation: Aebisher D, also various types of tumors in diverse locations. Enhancing the efficacy of PDT and
Tomaszewska J, Tomaka E, reducing its side effects may be possible by combining PSs with nanomaterials,
Bartusik-Aebisher D. Current
view on photodynamic therapy in which would also allow for targeted therapy to specific receptors. PDT is continuously
medicine. INNOSC Theranostics being developed to improve its effectiveness, and ongoing studies aim to minimize
and Pharmacological Sciences. unwanted side effects and identify contraindications for its use.
2025;8(2):16-30.
doi: 10.36922/itps.4559
Received: August 17, 2024 Keywords: Photodynamic therapy; Photosensitizers; Pancreas; Esophagus
Revised: December 8, 2024
Accepted: December 16, 2024
Published online: January 6, 2025 1. Introduction
Copyright: © 2025 Author(s). Light has been used in medical therapy since ancient times. The Egyptians, Chinese,
This is an Open-Access article and Indians employed light to treat a variety of diseases, including vitiligo, rickets,
distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution psoriasis, skin cancer, and even psychosis. One of the earliest known uses of sunlight for
License, permitting distribution, medicinal purposes was heliotherapy, which the Greeks introduced around 3000 years
and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is ago. Herodotus, a renowned physician of the second century BC, is often considered
properly cited. the father of heliotherapy. The Greeks favored a form of treatment in which the entire
th
Publisher’s Note: AccScience body was exposed to sunlight. At the beginning of the 20 century, the first literature
Publishing remains neutral with reported on the “photodynamic effect” was presented by a medical student Oscar Raab
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional and his professor Herman von Tappeiner. They showed that exposure of certain dyes
affiliations to sunlight could lead to cell death, as these dyes sensitized microorganisms to light.

Volume 8 Issue 2 (2025) 16 doi: 10.36922/itps.4559