Page 29 - ITPS-8-2

INNOSC Theranostics and
Pharmacological Sciences The biochemical and biophysical guide for photodynamic therapy

was addressed by Gray and Fullarton. In their research, a control group. Using the Luminex test, the expression of
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21 patients received Photofrin intravenously 48 h before important cytokines – such as IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-8, vascular
endoscopy, during which laser light with a wavelength of endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interferon-γ, TNF-α
630 nm was administered. Biopsies and endoscopies were – was quantitatively assessed. Significant differences in
performed every 6 – 12 weeks. Gray and Fullarton found cytokine levels were observed between the groups for
that 16 patients remained free of high-grade dysplasia IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-8, and VEGF, whereas the remaining
for a median of 62 months. Three patients developed cytokines showed no statistical differences. This study
an adenoma between the 40 and 50 month. PDT was suggests that PDT may enhance the benefits of periodontal
th
th
effective in 84% of cases, making it a viable treatment for treatment by modulating immune responses. 22
patients unable to undergo surgery. Increasing research indicates that PDT may also
Another question regarding whether Barrett’s esophagus be effective in treating non-cancer conditions, such as
can be completely removed was addressed by Hage et al. genital warts and condyloma. A study was conducted to
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In their study, patients were assigned to three groups, confirm the high cure rates and low recurrence rates in the
where the first group received ALA-PDT intravenously in treatment of condyloma with ALA-PDT. At various time
one dose, followed by light administration after 4 h. The intervals after treatment, the recruitment and significance
second group received the same compound in two doses, of immune cells at the lesion sites were examined using
with light applied after the same interval. The third group immunohistochemical analysis. The study involved
was treated with argon plasma coagulation in two sessions. 15 patients who had several cycles of PDT. The infiltration
The best result was achieved in the third group, where of clusters of differentiation (CD) 3, CD4, CD8, CD1a,
complete elimination was observed in 100% of patients and CD68 cells was assessed using immunocytochemical
after 6 weeks. In the first and second groups, complete staining, and biopsy samples were collected at baseline and
elimination was observed in 86% and 93% of patients, at various times during the study. The best results were
respectively. In summary, argon plasma coagulation alone achieved in the treatment of anal condyloma. As treatment
or ALA-PDT combined with coagulase can lead to the progressed, there was an increase in the infiltration of
complete regression of Barrett’s epithelium. CD4+ T lymphocytes and Langerhans cells in the skin.
Patients who responded to treatment also exhibited an
5.3. Immunological effects of PDT increase in CD8+ lymphocytes. These results suggest
The use of PDT also has adverse effects on the human that rapid activation of the immune response (CD4+
body. PDT-induced changes in cell membranes, as well as lymphocytes, Langerhans cells) may be responsible for
in organelle membranes when using most PSs, may lead to healing to confirm previous clinical data. 23
side effects. These changes can affect signaling pathways, Wu et al.’s assessed the effectiveness of PDT in reducing
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including increased expression of early immune response inflammatory infiltrates in periodontal disease, with a
stress genes and proteins. Another potential effect is particular focus on how it affects the organization of the
inflammatory cell damage. In such cases, membrane lipids collagen network. Two drug delivery systems (DDS) were
are damaged through the degradation of phospholipids, tested: Liposomes and nanoemulsions. The study involved
leading to the release of fragments of arachidonic acid 16 patients with advanced periodontal disease who were
and lipids, which act as mediators of inflammation. While candidates for tooth extraction. The patients were divided
inflammatory signaling after PDT can have detrimental into two groups, with one group receiving liposomes and
effects, it also has beneficial outcomes, such as the the other receiving nanoemulsions. Seven days before
initiation and support of leukocyte recruitment from the therapy began, each patient had one tooth undergo PDT,
blood. A notable consequence is the swift accumulation whereas another tooth served as a control. After PDT, the
of neutrophils, which can remain in tumor blood vessels density of the collagen fibers increased in the treated tooth
and significantly contribute to endothelial damage. As a compared to the control. PDT affected the immune system
result, the disintegration of these neutrophils results in in both groups, but the responses differed. In the liposome
the release of harmful oxygen radicals, myeloperoxidase, group, the number of macrophages decreased, while in
and lysosomal enzymes, which break down proteins and the nanoemulsion group, the number of Langerhans cells
damage cancer tissue. decreased. These results demonstrate that PDT has an
In evaluating the effectiveness of PDT in controlling impact on the immune system when used as a therapy for
inflammation, a study involving 28 patients with severe gingivitis and chronic periodontitis.
chronic periodontitis is particularly relevant. Patients were Another study aimed to investigate the effect of PDT as
randomly assigned to either the PDT treatment group or a therapy for multiple plantar warts. The study involved
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Volume 8 Issue 2 (2025) 23 doi: 10.36922/itps.4559