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Ceska a Slovenska Oftalmologie :... 2024Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is a disease characterized by serous detachment of the neuroretina, especially in the posterior pole of the eye. It is often... (Review)
Review
Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is a disease characterized by serous detachment of the neuroretina, especially in the posterior pole of the eye. It is often accompanied by serous detachment of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and associated with the leakage of fluid into the subretinal space through the defective RPE. CSC most often affects men of working age. The exact pathophysiology of the disease is not completely known. Based on indocyanine green angiography (ICG), which revealed increased permeability of choroidal vessels, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) showing increased choroidal thickness, choroidal vasculopathy is assumed to be the primary cause of CSC. In most cases, CSC has a good prognosis with spontaneous resorption of the subretinal fluid (SRF) and improvement of visual functions. However, in a small percentage of patients the disease progresses to a chronic or recurrent course, and can lead to irreversible functional and anatomical changes of the retina with a final clinical picture of diffuse retinal pigment epitheliopathy (DRPE). The optimal treatment approach for patients with CSC remains controversial. In recent decades, myriad therapeutic approaches have been used in the treatment of chronic forms of CSC (cCSC); these included for example laser photocoagulation, pharmaceutical treatment, standard photodynamic therapy (PDT) or anti-VEGF. In recent years a less destructive method, specifically PDT in reduced dose regimens, either with a reduced dose of verteporfin or the laser beam energy used, has been preferred in the treatment of cCSC. Comparable efficacy and safety has been demonstrated using reduced-dose or reduced-fluence PDT regimens in patients with cCSC, with an improvement in best-corrected visual acuity and reduction of SRF.
Topics: Male; Humans; Central Serous Chorioretinopathy; Photosensitizing Agents; Photochemotherapy; Visual Acuity; Fluorescein Angiography; Tomography, Optical Coherence; Retrospective Studies; Porphyrins
PubMed: 38531681
DOI: 10.31348/2023/27 -
Cells Sep 2023Immunosuppressants are emerging as promising candidates for cancer therapy with lower cytotoxicity compared to traditional chemotherapy drugs; yet, the intrinsic side...
Immunosuppressants are emerging as promising candidates for cancer therapy with lower cytotoxicity compared to traditional chemotherapy drugs; yet, the intrinsic side effects such as immunosuppression remain a critical concern. Herein, we introduce a photoactivatable antitumor immunosuppressant called dmBODIPY-FTY720 (BF) that shows no cytotoxicity but can be temporally and locally activated by deep-red light illumination to induce tumor cell apoptosis. To further reduce potential side effects, we integrate BF with another classic photosensitizer called methylene blue (MB) that is activated under the same wavelength of deep-red light (>650 nm) and successfully establish a red-light-activatable AND Boolean logic gate through a mechanism that we found to be synergetic apoptotic induction. At further decreased dosages, deep-red light illumination does not induce cell death in the presence of either BF or MB, but significant cancer cell death is triggered in the presence of both drugs. Therefore, the dosage of BF is further reduced, which will be highly beneficial to minimize any potential side effects of BF. This AND-gated strategy has been successfully applied in vivo for effective suppression of hepatocarcinoma tumors in living mice.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Photochemotherapy; Cell Line, Tumor; Immunosuppressive Agents; Light; Photosensitizing Agents
PubMed: 37830565
DOI: 10.3390/cells12192351 -
International Journal of Molecular... Nov 2023In this review, we delve into the realm of photodynamic therapy (PDT), an established method for combating cancer. The foundation of PDT lies in the activation of a... (Review)
Review
In this review, we delve into the realm of photodynamic therapy (PDT), an established method for combating cancer. The foundation of PDT lies in the activation of a photosensitizing agent using specific wavelengths of light, resulting in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), notably singlet oxygen (O). We explore PDT's intricacies, emphasizing its precise targeting of cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. We examine the pivotal role of singlet oxygen in initiating apoptosis and other cell death pathways, highlighting its potential for minimally invasive cancer treatment. Additionally, we delve into the complex interplay of cellular components, including catalase and NOX1, in defending cancer cells against PDT-induced oxidative and nitrative stress. We unveil an intriguing auto-amplifying mechanism involving secondary singlet oxygen production and catalase inactivation, offering promising avenues for enhancing PDT's effectiveness. In conclusion, our review unravels PDT's inner workings and underscores the importance of selective illumination and photosensitizer properties for achieving precision in cancer therapy. The exploration of cellular responses and interactions reveals opportunities for refining and optimizing PDT, which holds significant potential in the ongoing fight against cancer.
Topics: Humans; Singlet Oxygen; Photochemotherapy; Catalase; Photosensitizing Agents; Reactive Oxygen Species; Neoplasms
PubMed: 38069213
DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316890 -
Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy Feb 2024Acne is an inflammatory cutaneous disease affecting the pilosebaceous unit and hair follicles on the face, neck, back, and chest, with a typical onset in adolescence...
Acne is an inflammatory cutaneous disease affecting the pilosebaceous unit and hair follicles on the face, neck, back, and chest, with a typical onset in adolescence and, in some cases, persisting into adulthood. Systemic treatments with antibiotics or isotretinoin present many limitations, like antimicrobial resistance phenomena and teratogenicity, which appear more relevant in the pediatric population, both for the treatment-related risks and for the reticence of the parents. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has already shown encouraging results in the treatment of acne in adult patients, with good aesthetic results compared to other therapies and few side effects. However, its use is still not standardized in the pediatric population. On this topic, we report our experience with PDT in a young patient affected by dorsal acne. After five sessions of ALA-PDT at monthly intervals, a remarkable improvement of the lesions was observed, with the healing of the inflamed nodules and pustules, resolution of the painful symptoms, and an acceptable cosmetic outcome. Our case is paradigmatic of the potentiality of PDT to treat difficult and resistant-to-treatment lesions. Despite being time-consuming, this procedure has been demonstrated to be safe and well-tolerated. Lastly, the therapy is also well accepted by parents, due to its minimal invasiveness and mild side effects, compared to the other therapeutic options.
Topics: Child; Adult; Adolescent; Humans; Photosensitizing Agents; Aminolevulinic Acid; Photochemotherapy; Administration, Cutaneous; Acne Vulgaris
PubMed: 37951327
DOI: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2023.103893 -
Phytomedicine : International Journal... Oct 2023Experimental studies emphasize the therapeutic potential of plant-derived photosensitizers used in photodynamic therapy. Moreover, several in vitro and in vivo research... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Experimental studies emphasize the therapeutic potential of plant-derived photosensitizers used in photodynamic therapy. Moreover, several in vitro and in vivo research present the promising roles of less-known anthraquinones that can selectively target cancer cells and eliminate them after light irradiation. This literature review summarizes the current knowledge of chosen plant-based-photosensitizers in PDT to show the results of emodin, aloe-emodin, parietin, rubiadin, hypericin, and soranjidiol in photodynamic therapy of cancer treatment and describe the comprehensive perspective of their role as natural photosensitizers.
METHODS
Literature searches of chosen anthraquinones were conducted on PubMed.gov with keywords: "emodin", "aloe-emodin", "hypericin", "parietin", "rubiadin", "soranjidiol" with "cancer" and "photodynamic therapy".
RESULTS
According to literature data, this review concentrated on all existing in vitro and in vivo studies of emodin, aloe-emodin, parietin, rubiadin, soranjidiol used as natural photosensitizers emphasizing their effectiveness and detailed mechanism of action in anticancer therapy. Moreover, comprehensive preclinical and clinical studies on hypericin reveal that the above-described substances may be included in the phototoxic treatment of different cancers.
CONCLUSIONS
Overall, this review presented less-known anthraquinones with their promising molecular mechanisms of action. It is expected that in the future they may be used as natural PSs in cancer treatment as well as hypericin.
Topics: Photosensitizing Agents; Anthraquinones
PubMed: 37603973
DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.155035 -
Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy Apr 2024Pathologic scars include keloids and hypertrophic scars due to abnormal wound healing. Both cause symptoms of itching and pain; they also affect one's appearance and may... (Review)
Review
Pathologic scars include keloids and hypertrophic scars due to abnormal wound healing. Both cause symptoms of itching and pain; they also affect one's appearance and may even constrain movement. Such scars place a heavy burden on the individual's physical and mental health; moreover, treatment with surgery alone is highly likely to leave more scarring. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a treatment that is both minimally invasive and convenient. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an emerging safe and noninvasive technology wherein photosensitizers and specific light sources are used to treat malignant tumors and skin diseases. Research on PDT from both the laboratory and clinic has been reported. These findings on the treatment of pathologic scars using photosensitizers, light sources, and other mechanisms are reviewed in the present article.
Topics: Photochemotherapy; Humans; Photosensitizing Agents; Cicatrix; Keloid; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic
PubMed: 38462122
DOI: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2024.104040 -
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2024The origins of photodynamic therapy (PDT) date back to 1904. Since then, the amount of research proving PDT and, consequently, its applicability to various disease... (Review)
Review
The origins of photodynamic therapy (PDT) date back to 1904. Since then, the amount of research proving PDT and, consequently, its applicability to various disease states has steadily increased. Currently, PDT is mainly used in oncology to destroy cancer cells. It is being worked on for possible use in other medical fields as well, including cardiology. It can be used in the prevention of restenosis, often occurring after vascular surgical interventions, for destroying atherosclerotic plaques and as a new ablative method of ectopic centers in the treatment of atrial fibrillation. The purpose of this review is to summarize the knowledge to date regarding the therapeutic potential of using PDT for various pathological conditions in cardiology. The review also focuses on the current limitations associated with the use of PDT and identifies areas where more research is needed to develop better drug regimens. Materials and methods: The study analyzed 189 medical articles. The articles came from PubMed, Frontiers, Google Scholar, Science Direct and Web of Science databases. Through the excitation of light, a photosensitizer (PS) introduced into the body, the destruction of pathological cells occurs. PTD is widely used in oncology of the central nervous system (CNS). This process is made possible by the production of free oxygen radicals (ROS) and singlet oxygen, which generate oxidative stress that destroys sensitive cancer cells. In recent years, photosensitizers have also been discovered to have a strong affinity for macrophages that fill atherosclerotic plaques, making these compounds suitable for treating atherosclerosis. By inducing apoptosis of smooth muscle cells, inactivating basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-β) and inhibiting endothelial cell hyperplasia, PDT can be used to prevent restenosis after surgical proceduresPDT appears to be a minimally invasive and highly effective therapeutic method, especially when combined with other therapeutic methods. Unfortunately, the small number of animal model studies and human clinical trials greatly limit the applicability of PDT on a wider scale. Current limitations, such as the depth of penetration, delivery of photosensitizer particles to the direct site of the lesion or the appropriate choice of photosensitizer in relation to the nature of the pathology, unfortunately make it impossible to replace current therapeutic approaches.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Photosensitizing Agents; Photochemotherapy; Plaque, Atherosclerotic; Free Radicals; Cardiology
PubMed: 38542180
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25063206 -
International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2023Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a medical treatment with the use of a photosensitizing agent (PS), which, when activated by light, results in selective tissue damage with... (Review)
Review
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a medical treatment with the use of a photosensitizing agent (PS), which, when activated by light, results in selective tissue damage with a cytotoxic effect on tumor cells. PDT leads to the induction of an acute-phase response, which results in the involvement of adrenal glucocorticoid (GC) hormones. PDT, by activating the hormonal response, affects the treatment of cancer. GC release is observed due to adrenal activity, which is driven by changes in the hypothalamic pituitary-adrenal axis triggered by stress signals emanating from the PDT treated tumor. The hormones released in this process in the context of the PDT-induced acute-phase response perform many important functions during anticancer therapy. They lead, among other things, to the systemic mobilization of neutrophils and the production of acute-phase reagents, and also control the production of immunoregulatory proteins and proteins that modulate inflammation. GCs can radically affect the activity of various inflammatory and immune cells, including the apoptosis of cancer cells. A better understanding of the modulation of GC activity could improve the outcomes of cancer patients treated with PDT.
PubMed: 37762219
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813917 -
BMC Ophthalmology Jul 2023To describe visual and refractive outcomes of intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS) and toric implantable collamer lenses (TICL) implantation in cases of mild and...
PURPOSE
To describe visual and refractive outcomes of intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS) and toric implantable collamer lenses (TICL) implantation in cases of mild and moderate keratoconus.
METHODS
A prospective descriptive interventional case series. 40 eyes were allocated into two groups. First group (20 eyes) was treated with corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) 1 month after ICRS implantation and the second group was treated using TICL after 1 year of CXL.
RESULTS
Both groups showed statistically significant improvement in spherical equivalent, cylindrical refraction, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) over the follow-up period.
CONCLUSION
Both ICRS and TICL are effective in treatment of mid and moderate keratoconus with more predictable visual results with TICL.
Topics: Humans; Prosthesis Implantation; Photosensitizing Agents; Riboflavin; Keratoconus; Ultraviolet Rays; Refraction, Ocular; Lenses, Intraocular; Corneal Topography; Corneal Stroma; Cross-Linking Reagents
PubMed: 37460958
DOI: 10.1186/s12886-023-03040-x -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... Jul 2023Antibiotics are among the most used weapons in fighting microbial infections and have greatly improved the quality of human life. However, bacteria can eventually evolve...
Antibiotics are among the most used weapons in fighting microbial infections and have greatly improved the quality of human life. However, bacteria can eventually evolve to exhibit antibiotic resistance to almost all prescribed antibiotic drugs. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) develops little antibiotic resistance and has become a promising strategy in fighting bacterial infection. To augment the killing effect of PDT, the conventional strategy is introducing excess ROS in various ways, such as applying high light doses, high photosensitizer concentrations, and exogenous oxygen. In this study, we report a metallacage-based PDT strategy that minimizes the use of ROS by jointly using gallium-metal organic framework rods to inhibit the production of bacterial endogenous NO, amplify ROS stress, and enhance the killing effect. The augmented bactericidal effect was demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. This proposed enhanced PDT strategy will provide a new option for bacterial ablation.
Topics: Humans; Photochemotherapy; Reactive Oxygen Species; Photosensitizing Agents; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteria
PubMed: 37428928
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2218973120