The idea of using light as a therapeutic tool has been popular for thousands
of years. Scientific discoveries in line with technological innovations have contributed
to the advancement of photodynamic therapy as a therapeutic modality. Photodynamic
therapy is based on the generation of highly reactive species that alter the molecular
systematics of cells through interactions between light, photosensitizer, and molecular
oxygen. It has a minimally invasive protocol that can be combined with other clinical
methods or can be stand-alone. The development of photosensitizers with the
integration of nanotechnological approaches has provided favorable results over the
years in malignant and non-malignant diseases by facilitating target-site action,
selectivity, and controllable drug release. This chapter presents a review of
photodynamic therapy with its important aspects; history, mechanism of action, cellular
effects, integration into nanoscale drug delivery systems, and combinational therapeutic
approaches in cancer.
Keywords: Anticancer therapy, Apoptosis, Autophagy, Cancer, Tumor, Cell death, Clinical application, Combination therapy, Drug delivery systems, Immunogenic cell death, Light therapy, Nanotechnology, Necroptosis, Necrosis, Neoplasms, Photodynamic therapy, Photosensitizer, Reactive oxygen species, Singlet oxygen, Vascular endothelium.
