Photodynamic therapy and anti-tumour immunity.

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses non-toxic photosensitizers and harmless visible light in combination with oxygen to produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species that kill malignant cells by apoptosis and/or necrosis, shut down the tumour microvasculature and stimulate the host immune system. In contrast to surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy that are mostly immunosuppressive, PDT causes acute inflammation, expression of heat-shock proteins, invasion and infiltration of the tumour by leukocytes, and might increase the presentation of tumour-derived antigens to T cells.

• Authors: Ana P Castano, Pawel Mroz, Michael R Hamblin
• Journal: Nature reviews. Cancer (Nat Rev Cancer) Vol. 6 Issue 7 Pg. 535-45 (Jul 2006) ISSN: 1474-175X [Print] England
• PMID: 16794636 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Review)

Topics

• Animals
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Humans
• Immunotherapy
• Inflammation (immunology)
• Lymphocyte Activation (immunology)
• Neoplasms (immunology, therapy)
• Photochemotherapy
• T-Lymphocytes (immunology)