Daylight Photodynamic Therapy: An Update

Chaw-Ning Lee; Rosie Hsu; Hsuan Chen; Tak-Wah Wong

doi:10.3390/molecules25215195

Molecules (Nov 2020)

Daylight Photodynamic Therapy: An Update

Chaw-Ning Lee,
Rosie Hsu,
Hsuan Chen,
Tak-Wah Wong

Affiliations

Chaw-Ning Lee: Department of Dermatology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan
Rosie Hsu: Department of Dermatology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan
Hsuan Chen: Department of Dermatology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan
Tak-Wah Wong: Department of Dermatology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 704, Taiwan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25215195
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 25, no. 21
p. 5195

Abstract

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Daylight photodynamic therapy (dPDT) uses sunlight as a light source to treat superficial skin cancer. Using sunlight as a therapeutic device has been present for centuries, forming the basis of photodynamic therapy in the 20th century. Compared to conventional PDT, dPDT can be a less painful, more convenient and an effective alternative. The first clinical uses of dPDT on skin cancers began in Copenhagen in 2008. Currently, aminolevulinic acid-mediated dPDT has been approved to treat actinic keratosis patients in Europe. In this review article, we introduce the history and mechanism of dPDT and focus on the pros and cons of dPDT in treating superficial skin cancers. The future applications of dPDT on other skin diseases are expected to expand as conventional PDT evolves.

Published in Molecules

ISSN: 1420-3049 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Chemistry: Organic chemistry
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules

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