Nanotechnology and photodynamic therapy from a clinical perspective

Abstract

Abstract Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is currently applied clinically in many medical centers worldwide. The clinical outcomes are from one side satisfying and from the other side highlighting the areas of further development. Issues like hydrophobicity of the photosensitizer (PS), uncontrolled distribution and limited tissue penetration of the accompanying light sources triggered the interest of many research groups. Nanotechnology outstood among the various suggested enhancement solutions. In this review, the rationale behind using nanotechnology is discussed. Light is shed on the status of nanotechnology from approval for clinical use. Clinical studies of PS‐loaded nanoparticles are summarized and the challenges facing the progress of those systems are enumerated.

Keywords

• clinical photodynamic therapy
• multimodal therapy
• nanotechnology
• targeting