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Photodynamic therapy and the alimentary tract.
C R Selvasekar1, N Birbeck, T McMillan
1Blackpool Victoria Hospital NHS Trust, Blackpool, UK.
Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics
|June 26, 2001
Summary
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) shows promise for treating superficial pre-malignant and early-stage cancers in the alimentary tract, particularly for diffuse disease. Further advancements in photosensitizers and light delivery could expand its clinical applications.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Gastroenterology
- Photomedicine
Background:
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT) offers selective tumor necrosis and normal tissue healing.
- Despite potential applications, PDT's role in the alimentary tract remains undefined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of PDT use in the alimentary tract.
- To assess the efficacy of PDT for pre-malignant and early-stage cancers.
Main Methods:
- Review of English-language articles, editorials, and case reports from Medline/ISI up to April 2000.
- Inclusion of manually identified relevant literature.
Main Results:
- PDT is effective for superficial pre-malignant mucosal lesions and early cancers, especially diffuse disease.
- Suitable patients include those avoiding surgery, high-risk individuals, or those with treatment failure.
- PDT has not yet demonstrated superiority over other ablation methods.
Conclusions:
- PDT is a viable treatment option for specific gastrointestinal conditions.
- Development of improved photosensitizers and light delivery techniques is expected to enhance PDT's application.
- Further research is needed to establish PDT's definitive role and superiority compared to existing treatments.