Optical Imaging, Photodynamic Therapy and Optically Triggered Combination Treatments

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Medical Imaging
• Photochemistry

Background:

• Optical imaging shows promise for real-time image-guided cancer resections.
• Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a photochemistry-based treatment modality.
• Optical approaches can be intrinsically theranostic, combining imaging and therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of optical imaging in photodynamic therapy (PDT) for cancer management.
• To highlight advances addressing challenges in PDT, such as light delivery, dosimetry, and tumor selectivity.
• To discuss how optical imaging provides structural, functional, and molecular information to advance PDT and combination therapies.

Main Methods:

• Review of key advances in molecular imaging, target-activatable photosensitizers, and optically active nanoparticles.
• Analysis of how these advances address tumor heterogeneity and incomplete treatment in PDT.
• Discussion of the integration of optical imaging with PDT for enhanced cancer treatment.

Main Results:

• Optical imaging provides crucial structural, functional, and molecular insights into PDT mechanisms.
• Advances enable precise light delivery, dosimetry, and improved photosensitizer tumor localization.
• New nanoparticles offer combined cytotoxicity and drug release, enhancing therapeutic outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Optical imaging is revolutionizing PDT, enabling 'theranostic' applications in cancer care.
• These advances are driving a 'PDT renaissance' with increasing clinical applications.
• Integration with fluorescence-guided surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation enhances cancer treatment efficacy.