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Photodynamic therapy

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Professional Reference articles are designed for health professionals to use. They are written by UK doctors and based on research evidence, UK and European Guidelines. You may find one of our health articles more useful.

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What is photodynamic therapy?

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment modality that has been developing rapidly within various medical specialties since the 1960s. Photoreactive chemicals are injected into the patient and irradiated with light strong enough to activate the chemicals, causing them to emit free radicals and destroy the targeted abnormal cells.

An understanding of the principles of photobiology and tissue optics is necessary to understand how it works. Originally used to treat certain malignancies, it is currently being used in the treatment of some forms of macular degeneration, and various skin conditions including basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), actinic keratoses, Bowen's disease, psoriasis, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, acne and photorejuvenation of wrinkles.1

How does photodynamic therapy work?2

The photodynamic effect requires:

A chemical photosensitiser

  • The majority have a heterocyclic ring structure similar to chlorophyll or haem in haemoglobin.

  • Adequate tissue levels are required for the effect to work.

  • The drug can be given systemically, topically or directly into the organ. Topical administration for superficial lesions has less risk of systemic side-effects.

  • The selectivity of the drugs for different hyper-proliferating tissues varies. For example, sodium porfimer is distributed to connective tissue and blood vessels, whereas 5-aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) concentrates in mucosal layers.

  • Choice of photosensitising drug thus depends on the nature of the lesion to be treated.

Light of the appropriate wavelength

  • Each photosensitiser has a particular spectrum of action requiring light of the appropriate wavelength for maximum absorption and effect.

  • Clinically used sensitisers work between 420 nm (blue) and 780 nm (deep red). Longer wavelengths penetrate deeper (blue 1-2 mm and red more than 5 mm). Newer agents are likely to work with the clinically more penetrating longer wavelengths.

Oxygen

  • This is required for effect and hence well perfused and oxygenated tissue is required for the technique to work.

Energy is transferred in the form of light via the intracellular photosensitiser to oxygen molecules. The oxygen then forms highly reactive intermediaries. These have a short half life (fractions of a second) and thus have a very localised tissue-damaging effect. The energy involved is low (so that hyperthermia is unlikely) and damage to adjacent organs is therefore unlikely.

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Advantages of photodynamic therapy3

The potential advantages of PDT are:

  • Scarring is unlikely, as collagen and elastin are unaffected, leaving organs intact.

  • Highly selective tissue necrosis. This is achieved by:

    • Localising the drug to the proliferating tissue.

    • Selective uptake of photosensitisers to particular tissue layers.

    • Precise directing of laser light using optical fibres.

  • Resistance to treatment does not develop with repeated treatment.

Limitations of photodynamic therapy3

There are a number of limitations to the technique:

  • It requires direction of the light to the appropriate site and tissue depth in order to be effective.

  • It is ablative and does not yield material for histological diagnosis. Diagnosis should be made before treatment.

  • It is complex, requiring optimal light delivery with laser, and collaboration and co-ordination between clinicians.

  • Persistent skin photosensitivity, lasting weeks with some photosensitisers, limits use.

  • Availability of the necessary light sources has been a problem. Now low-cost portable light sources are more readily available.

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Side-effects of photodynamic therapy

The experience of PDT will vary from person to person. How the treatment is given and the side-effects produced vary according to:

  • What part of the body is treated.

  • The type of photosensitising drug given.

  • The time between giving the drug and applying the light.

  • The skin sensitivity to light following treatment.

Indications

Licensed indications are as follows:4

Topical PDT

This is being used more often and is probably the most common form of PDT used. 5-ALA is the main agent used. Current evidence indicates topical PDT to be effective in:

Note that topical PDT alone is a relatively poor option for both nodular BCC and SCC.

There is growing evidence of benefit in acne. Use in SCC is only recommended for SCC in situ (Bowen's disease).

Important information

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance for topical use

5

This is briefly that:

There are no major safety concerns associated with PDT for non-melanoma skin tumours (including pre-malignant and primary non-metastatic skin lesions).

Evidence of efficacy of this procedure for the treatment of BCC, Bowen's disease and actinic (solar) keratosis is adequate to support its use for these conditions (provided that the normal arrangements are in place for consent, audit and clinical governance).

Evidence is limited on the efficacy of this procedure for the treatment of invasive SCC. Recurrence rates are high and there is a risk of metastasis. Clinicians should ensure that patients understand these risks and that re-treatment may be necessary.

Non-topical PDT

  • Porfimer sodium is licensed for use in PDT for non-small cell lung cancer and obstructing oesophageal cancer. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance is available for use in:

    • Advanced bronchial carcinoma.6

    • Localised inoperable endobronchial carcinoma.7

    • Advanced oesophageal carcinoma.8

  • Temoporfin is similarly licensed for advanced head and neck cancer. NICE guidance is available for use in parotid carcinoma.9

  • Verteporfin is licensed for use in age-related macular degeneration associated with mainly subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) or with pathological myopia as in the NICE guidelines.10

The scope of PDT can be appreciated by considering the full range of conditions for which it has been used with varying degrees of success:11

Superficial epidermal lesions

  • Skin lesions in particular sites where skin contraction, scarring and ulceration are likely with alternative techniques. Such sites include the bridge of nose and anterior tibial area.

  • BCC: trials show good cosmetic results but longer follow-up is required to assess the rate of recurrence.

  • Bowen's disease.

  • Trials have taken place in SCC and malignant melanoma.11

  • Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

  • Kaposi's sarcoma.

Superficial mucosal lesions

  • Urothelial disease including superficial bladder tumours.

  • Lower genital tract intraepithelial neoplasia (cervical and vaginal).

  • Barrett's oesophagus where the avoidance of scarring and stenosis is likely to be valuable.12

  • Early-stage lung cancer.

  • Head and neck malignancy. This includes tumours of the oral cavity, nasal cavity and larynx particularly.

  • Early gastrointestinal cancer, particularly stomach and oesophageal cancer.13

  • Bile duct cancer.14

Solid organ cancer15

  • Prostate cancer recurrences.

  • Inoperable cancer of the pancreas. Larger trials have been called for.

  • Brain tumours. Glioblastomas and astrocytomas where treatment options are few have been treated with PDT. The preservation of healthy brain tissue makes the PDT attractive. Some success has been reported.11 NICE recommends only using in a research context.16

  • Small ocular tumours.

  • Mesothelioma. Treatment is administered intrapleurally.

Benign conditions

  • Age-related macular degeneration (the leading cause of blindness in the UK).

  • Restenosis after coronary angioplasty.

  • Psoriasis, both skin and joint disease.

  • Endometrial ablation for menorrhagia.

  • Acne vulgaris.

  • Viral warts.

  • Hair removal.

  • Sebaceous gland hyperplasia.

Note: NICE has recommended that all patients with 'wet' age-related macular degeneration with classic subfoveal CNV with at least 6/60 vision, should be considered for PDT.10

Future prospects
Research in the areas outlined above may consolidate use clinically in more cancers. The repertoire of PDT therapies available is likely to be further extended with:

  • Linking with diagnostic techniques (photodynamic diagnostics).

  • Immunoadjuvants.17

  • Use in non-malignant conditions.

Contra-indications

  • Porphyria.

  • Breast-feeding.

  • Hepatic impairment (if severe).

  • Pregnancy.

Individual drugs

Topical 5-ALA

In PDT, the lesion is prepared by removing overlying crust and scale. A photosensitising agent is applied to the lesion and a margin of the surrounding skin. The lesion is illuminated by light of an appropriate wavelength to activate the photosensitiser, producing targeted tumour destruction. Occasionally, the photosensitising agent may be given intravenously (IV). More than one lesion may be treated in a session and the treatment can be repeated.5

Important information

Advice to patients18

A photosensitising cream will be applied to the affected area of skin.

You will then need to wait for approximately 4-6 hours before being treated.

Treatment with the PDT light will last 20-45 minutes, after which a dressing will be put on to cover the area and protect it from light.

Usually only one treatment is needed, but occasionally two or three further treatments may be given.

Possible side-effects of PDT for skin cancer:

Pain may be significant with large areas. You will be given a local anaesthetic before your PDT, to prevent pain. For many people this is all that they will need. You may be given steroid cream to apply to the area if it hurts when you are at home.

Sensitivity to light. The treated area of skin will be sensitive to daylight and bright, indoor lighting. This effect will probably last for between 24-36 hours. You will need to keep the treated area of skin covered during this time. After that you can wash, bathe or shower as usual, but you will still need to treat your skin gently and not rub the area until it has healed.

Healing - a scab will form on the treated area. The scab usually falls off after about three weeks. As PDT heals quickly without scarring, the appearance after treatment is usually very good.

Porfimer sodium

Given by IV injection. It accumulates in malignant tissue and is activated by laser light to produce a cytotoxic effect. It is given for obstructing oesophageal cancer (but not if there is a malignant fistula) and non-small cell lung cancer. It is effective in ablating high-grade dysplasia and intramucosal adenocarcinoma and T1b/T2 carcinomas complicating Barrett's oesophagus.

The main complications are oesophagitis, photo-reactions and stricture requiring dilatation.19 It is also effective for lung cancer. In one case, a 75-year-old man with emphysema and a tumour of the right intermediate bronchus had four months' treatment and the tumour disappeared with no recurrence for three years. It is safe for patients with poor pulmonary function.20

Temoporfin (Foscan®)

Given by IV injection for advanced squamous head and neck carcinomas refractory to other treatments, but not for palliative treatment. Side-effects include constipation, local haemorrhage, facial pain and oedema, scarring and dysphagia.

Verteporfin

This was licensed in 2000 for the treatment of 'wet' age-related macular degeneration with predominantly classic neovascularisation to treat the new vessels, which grow under the retina and distort vision.21

Given by IV infusion. It is a light-sensitive dye taken up into the vascular endothelium of the new vessels. Non-thermal laser is then applied, burning the abnormal vessels. Toxic free radicals destroy the vascular endothelial cells without damaging the overlying retina.

The neovascular membranes are identified by fluorescein angiography. Classic membranes are clearly delineated. Occult membranes are hidden underneath the retinal pigment epithelium. Some lesions may have both classic and occult components.

Photocoagulation of classic extrafoveal vessels (those not directly underneath the fovea at the centre of the macula) can delay the loss of vision in a small number of patients. However, most patients present with subfoveal membranes and, whilst photocoagulation can limit subsequent visual loss, it can cause immediate loss of central vision due to the concurrent destruction of the overlying retina. The most serious adverse outcome (within seven days) is decrease in visual acuity which occurs in about 1 in 50 patients. Patients may need five treatments over two years.22 Side-effects include visual disturbances, nausea, back pain, pruritus, hypercholesterolaemia and fever.

Important information

Sensitivity to light - advice to patients

Although photosensitising drugs are mostly taken up by the cancer cells and are concentrated there, they can also make your ordinary skin cells, or your eyes, highly sensitive to light. People who have had PDT are advised to protect themselves from exposure to sunlight and bright indoor lighting. The duration of sensitivity to light (photosensitivity) varies depending upon which drug is used. The drug temoporfin (Foscan®) is commonly used to treat head and neck cancers and will make you sensitive to direct sunlight for up to two weeks.18

Photosensitivity occurs with all IV treatments so for 30 days after administration, skin and eyes must not be exposed to direct sunlight or bright indoor light (or ophthalmic slit-lamp examination). Avoid other photosensitising treatment. It is important to note that sunscreens offer no protection against the photosensitivity.23

Further reading and references

  1. Ou-Yang Y, Zheng Y, Mills KE; Photodynamic therapy for skin carcinomas: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Med (Lausanne). 2023 Jan 19;10:1089361. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1089361. eCollection 2023.
  2. Rkein AM, Ozog DM; Photodynamic therapy. Dermatol Clin. 2014 Jul;32(3):415-25, x. doi: 10.1016/j.det.2014.03.009.
  3. Grin M, Suvorov N, Ostroverkhov P, et al; Advantages of combined photodynamic therapy in the treatment of oncological diseases. Biophys Rev. 2022 Jun 9;14(4):941-963. doi: 10.1007/s12551-022-00962-6. eCollection 2022 Aug.
  4. British Association of Dermatologists and British Photodermatology Group guidelines for topical photodynamic therapy (2018)
  5. Photodynamic therapy for non-melanoma skin tumours (including premalignant and primary non-metastatic skin lesions); NICE Interventional procedure guidance, February 2006
  6. Photodynamic therapy for advanced bronchial carcinoma; NICE Interventional Procedures, August 2004
  7. Photodynamic therapy for localised inoperable endobronchial cancer; NICE Interventional Procedures, November 2005
  8. Palliative photodynamic therapy for advanced oesophageal cancer; NICE Interventional Procedure Guideline, January 2007
  9. Interstitial photodynamic therapy for malignant parotid tumours; NICE Interventional Procedures, April 2008
  10. Guidance on the use of photodynamic therapy for age-related macular degeneration; NICE Technology appraisal guidance, September 2003
  11. Huang Z; A review of progress in clinical photodynamic therapy. Technol Cancer Res Treat. 2005 Jun;4(3):283-93.
  12. Photodynamic therapy for Barrett's oesophagus; NICE Interventional procedures guidance, June 2010
  13. Photo-dynamic therapy for early oesophageal cancer; NICE Interventional Procedure Guidance, December 2006
  14. Photodynamic therapy for bile duct cancer; NICE Interventional procedure guidance, July 2005
  15. Huang Z, Xu H, Meyers AD, et al; Photodynamic therapy for treatment of solid tumors--potential and technical challenges. Technol Cancer Res Treat. 2008 Aug;7(4):309-20.
  16. Photodynamic therapy for brain tumours; NICE Interventional Procedure Guidance, March 2009
  17. Qiang YG, Yow CM, Huang Z; Combination of photodynamic therapy and immunomodulation: current status and future trends. Med Res Rev. 2008 Jul;28(4):632-44.
  18. Photodynamic therapy (PDT); Macmillan Cancer Support
  19. Foroulis CN, Thorpe JA; Photodynamic therapy (PDT) in Barrett's esophagus with dysplasia or early cancer. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2006 Jan;29(1):30-4. Epub 2005 Dec 6.
  20. Kondo K, Miyoshi T, Takizawa H, et al; Photodynamic therapy for submucosal tumor of the central bronchus. J Med Invest. 2005 Aug;52(3-4):208-11.
  21. No authors listed; Can verteporfin help in macular degeneration? Drug Ther Bull. 2001 Apr;39(4):30-2.
  22. Wormald R, Evans J, Smeeth L, et al; Photodynamic therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007 Jul 18;(3):CD002030. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD002030.pub3.
  23. Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) - Visudyne® 15 mg, powder for solution for infusion; Novartis, electronic Medicines Compendium, October 2012 (updated 2022)

Article history

The information on this page is written and peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • Next review due: 19 Aug 2028
  • 21 Aug 2023 | Latest version

    Last updated by

    Dr Hayley Willacy, FRCGP

    Peer reviewed by

    Dr Pippa Vincent, MRCGP
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