Photodynamic therapy: Combined modality approaches targeting the tumor microenvironment
✍ Scribed by Charles J. Gomer; Angela Ferrario; Marian Luna; Natalie Rucker; Sam Wong
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 2006
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 74 KB
- Volume
- 38
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0196-8092
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
✦ Synopsis
Abstract
Background and Objectives
Photodynamic therapy causes direct cytotoxicity to malignant cells within a tumor. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) can also have both direct and indirect effects upon various non‐malignant components of the tumor microenvironment. This action can lead to PDT‐mediated angiogenesis and inflammation, which are emerging as important determinants of PDT responsiveness.
Study Design/Materials and Methods
Preclinical studies have been performed to document how PDT modulates the tumor microenvironment. The expression, function, and treatment relevance of angiogenic growth factors, proteinases, and inflammatory molecules have been monitored following PDT using mouse tumor models.
Results
Photofrin‐mediated PDT was shown to be a strong activator of VEGF, MMPs, and COX‐2 derived prostaglandins within the tumor microenvironment. Inhibitors that target these angiogenic and pro‐survival molecules can enhance the effectiveness of PDT.
Conclusions
Improvements in PDT tumor responsiveness may be achieved by employing combined modality regimens targeting malignant cells as well as treatment‐induced angiogenesis and/or inflammation. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.