Recent progress in hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether-photodynamic therapy for port-wine stains: updates and insights

Port-wine stains (PWS) are congenital vascular malformations characterized by capillary malformations that persist and often darken over time. Traditional treatment methods, including laser therapy, have shown varying degrees of effectiveness and can be associated with significant side effects. Hematoporphyrin Monomethyl Ether-Photodynamic Therapy (HMME-PDT) has emerged as a promising alternative, offering targeted treatment with potentially fewer adverse effects. This paper aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy and potential of HMME-PDT as a treatment strategy for PWS. It provides a comprehensive review of the literature and clinical investigations to assess the application and outcomes of HMME-PDT in treating PWS. Briefly introduce the nature of PWS, innovations and challenges in treatment, the mechanism of HMME-PDT, clinical effectiveness and sonographic appearance, safety and long-term effects, and challenges and suggestions for optimizing treatment. The review highlights the mechanism by which HMME-PDT works, focusing on its ability to target abnormal blood vessels selectively. Clinical evaluations included clinical and sonographic assessments to determine the efficacy of the treatment. The findings revealed significant improvements in the clinical appearance and sonographic features of vascular lesions following HMME-PDT. The paper also discusses the utility of dermoscopy in HMME-PDT applications, factors affecting treatment efficacy, the impact of thermal assistance on the effectiveness of PDT, and the management of adverse reactions through proper nursing care. The review underscores the considerable potential of HMME-PDT as an effective treatment for PWS, noting its promising outcomes in clinical and sonographic assessments. However, it also emphasizes the need for further research to standardize treatment protocols and assess long-term outcomes.