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Photodynamic therapy for onychomycosis: A systematic review
Anil Kumar Bhatta1, Uma Keyal1, Xiu Li Wang1
1Institute of Photomedicine, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy
|August 2, 2016
Summary
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) offers a promising alternative treatment for onychomycosis, a difficult-to-treat nail fungal infection. This approach avoids systemic side effects associated with oral antifungal medications.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Photomedicine
Background:
- Onychomycosis is a common nail fungal infection that is challenging to treat.
- Conventional therapies, including oral antifungals, have limitations due to side effects, drug interactions, and patient comorbidities.
- There is a need for safer and effective onychomycosis treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current literature on Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) as a potential treatment for onychomycosis.
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of PDT for onychomycosis.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature review was conducted.
- Searched databases for studies on PDT for onychomycosis.
- Included 17 relevant papers from an initial search of 43 articles.
Main Results:
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT) utilizes a photosensitizer and light to generate reactive oxygen species, targeting fungal cells.
- PDT is being investigated as a novel therapeutic modality for onychomycosis.
- The review synthesizes findings on PDT's effectiveness and safety profile.
Conclusions:
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT) presents a viable, non-systemic treatment option for onychomycosis.
- Further research and clinical trials are warranted to establish PDT as a standard treatment.
- PDT may overcome limitations of current oral antifungal therapies.
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