Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 31, 2026
A New Technique for Treating Low-risk Prostate Cancer—Super Active Surveillance
Published on: November 7, 2025
Treatment of localized prostate cancer using WST-09 and WST-11 mediated vascular targeted photodynamic therapy-A
A Kawczyk-Krupka1, K Wawrzyniec2, S K Musiol3
1School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry in Zabrze, Department and Clinic of Internal Diseases, Angiology and Physical Medicine, Center for Laser Diagnostics and Therapy, Medical University of Silesia, Batorego Street 15, 41-902 Bytom, Poland.
Background:
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is well known for its direct cytotoxicity of the free radical-producing photochemical reaction, indirect mechanisms of action including modulation of intrinsic anti-tumour immune activity, and occlusion of pathologically altered tumour vessels leading to tumour ischaemia. The aim of this work is to critically review the evidence base for the use of vascular targeted PDT (VTP) to treat low-risk prostate cancer, and to discuss perspectives and challenges yet to be overcome. A brief general overview of focal prostate cancer therapy was provided, followed by a discussion of both basic and clinical research pertaining to prostate cancer VTP, with a focus on the palladium-based WST-09 and WST-11 photosensitisers.
Materials And Method:
Literature on VTP for prostate cancer with the fallowing medical subject headings search terms: prostate cancer, photodynamic therapy, vascular targeted photodynamic therapy, bacteriopheophorbide were reviewed. The articles were selected by their relevance to the topic.
Results:
The clinical and basic research data available to date show much promise for WST-09, and WST-11 based VTP eventually joining the standard urologist's armamentarium against prostate cancer. With good reported tolerability and efficacy VTP can be proposed as an intermediate treatment for local low risk disease, halfway between watchful waiting and radical therapy.
