Photosensitized processes in vivo: proposed phototherapeutic applications.

Abstract

The use of photosensitizing dyes having intense absorption bands in the 600-900 nm spectral interval opens up new prospects in the field of photochemotherapy, because it allows the illumination of relatively large tissue volumes with no significant damage to photosensitizer-free tissues. Special interest is currently focused on the photodynamic therapy of solid tumors, because of the property of several dyes with a macrocyclic chemical structure (porphyrins, chlorins, phthalocyanines, xanthenes) to accumulate in significant amounts and be retained for prolonged periods of time by neoplastic lesions. Strategies are being developed for enhancing the selectivity of tumor targeting by photosensitizers through the exploitation of functional or biochemical differences between normal and malignant cells.

• Authors: G Jori
• Journal: Photochemistry and photobiology (Photochem Photobiol) Vol. 52 Issue 2 Pg. 439-43 (Aug 1990) ISSN: 0031-8655 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2217554 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Radiation-Sensitizing Agents

Topics

• Humans
• Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Photochemotherapy
• Radiation-Sensitizing Agents (chemistry, therapeutic use)