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Updated: May 20, 2026
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An In-House-Built and Light-Emitting-Diode-Based Photodynamic Therapy Device for Enhancing Verteporfin Cytotoxicity in a 2D Cell Culture Model
Published on: January 13, 2023
Photodynamic therapy for enhancing antitumour immunity
Klara Pizova1, Katerina Tomankova, Adela Daskova
1Department of Medical Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry and Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Palacky University Olomouc, Czech Republic.
Summary
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) enhances anticancer immunity by triggering inflammatory responses after tumor cell death. Combining PDT with immunotherapy shows promise for improving cancer treatment outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an emerging cancer treatment utilizing photosensitizers and light.
- PDT offers specificity and selectivity, avoiding chemotherapy and radiotherapy side effects.
- PDT induces tumor destruction via reactive oxygen species, vascular shutdown, and enhanced antitumour immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature on photodynamic therapy's role in enhancing antitumour immunity.
- To explore methods for combining PDT with immunological approaches.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of PubMed database from 1983 onwards.
- Focus on studies investigating PDT's impact on antitumour immune responses.
Main Results:
- PDT induces tumor cell death, releasing inflammatory mediators.
- This leads to an inflammatory response and subsequent adaptive antitumour immunity.
- PDT triggers mechanisms that stimulate the immune system against cancer.
Conclusions:
- Tumor cell death during PDT elicits an immune response.
- Combining PDT with immunotherapy can significantly improve treatment efficacy.
- Further research into combined PDT and immunotherapy strategies is warranted to increase cure rates.
