Recent developments in photodynamic therapy and its application against multidrug resistant cancers
Debalina Bhattacharya1, Mainak Mukhopadhyay2, Kumar Shivam3
1Department of Microbiology, Maulana Azad College, Kolkata, West Bengal 700013, India.
Biomedical Materials (Bristol, England)
|October 12, 2023
Summary
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) shows promise for cancer treatment, but drug resistance is a challenge. New nanomaterial-based photosensitizers (PS) are being developed to overcome multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer cells.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Photochemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising cancer treatment modality.
- 5-aminolevulinic acid is a common photosensitizer (PS) precursor.
- Cancer cells can develop multidrug resistance (MDR), limiting treatment efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss mechanisms of MDR in cancer.
- To review advances in PDT-based nanomaterials for MDR cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on PDT, MDR mechanisms, and nanomaterial applications.
- Discussion of various nanoparticle (NP) types used in PDT.
Main Results:
- Cancer cells develop MDR through genetic, epigenetic, and other pathways.
- Nanomaterial-based PS show potential to overcome MDR.
Conclusions:
- Nanoparticle-based PDT offers a strategy to combat multidrug-resistant cancers.
- Further research into novel PS and delivery systems is warranted.
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