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Updated: Mar 18, 2026
Rose Bengal-Mediated Photodynamic Therapy to Inhibit Candida albicans
Published on: March 24, 2022
Photodynamic therapy as an antifungal treatment
Y I Liang1, Li-Ming Lu1, Yong Chen1
1Department of Dermatology, Liuzhou Municipal Liutie Central Hospital, Liuzhou, Guangxi 545007, P.R. China.
Abstract:
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) involves the systemic or topical application of a photosensitizer (PS), alongside the selective illumination of the target lesion with light of an appropriate wavelength, in order to promote localized oxidative photodamage and subsequent cell death. Numerous studies have demonstrated that PDT is highly effective in the destruction of fungi in vitro. The mechanism underlying the effects of PDT results from the photons of visible light of an appropriate wavelength interacting with the intracellular molecules of the PS. Reactive species are produced as a result of the oxidative stress caused by the interaction between the visible light and the biological tissue. At present, no antifungal treatment based on PDT has been licensed. However, antifungal PDT is emerging as an area of interest for research.
Insights
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses light-activated photosensitizers to destroy fungi. While effective in lab studies, no PDT antifungal treatments are currently approved, but research is ongoing.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Photobiology
- Mycology
Background:
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment modality that utilizes photosensitizers (PS) and light to generate reactive oxygen species, leading to cell death.
- PDT has shown significant efficacy in preclinical studies for eradicating various fungal pathogens.
- Current antifungal treatments face challenges with resistance and limited efficacy, driving the search for novel therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of photodynamic therapy's efficacy against fungi.
- To explore the mechanisms by which PDT induces fungal cell death.
- To assess the potential of PDT as a future antifungal therapeutic approach.
Main Methods:
- Review of in vitro studies investigating the effects of PDT on fungal organisms.
- Analysis of the photochemical reactions and cellular responses triggered by PDT.
- Examination of the wavelengths and photosensitizers used in antifungal PDT research.
Main Results:
- Photodynamic therapy has demonstrated high effectiveness in destroying fungi in laboratory settings.
- The mechanism involves light activation of photosensitizers, generating reactive species that cause oxidative stress and cell damage.
- Specific wavelengths of light interacting with photosensitizers are crucial for targeted photodamage.
Conclusions:
- Photodynamic therapy shows promise as a potent antifungal strategy.
- Further research and clinical trials are needed to develop licensed PDT-based antifungal treatments.
- Antifungal PDT represents an emerging and exciting area of scientific investigation.
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