Photodynamic therapy useful option for treating metastatic ovarian cancer

Scientists at Kazan Federal University and Medical Center of the Presidential Administration of Kazakhstan have found that Photodynamic therapy is a useful treatment option for metastatic ovarian cancer.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a minimally invasive therapeutic modality used for the treatment of a variety of cancers and benign diseases.  It is one of the most promising methods of treating localized tumors. PDT can be used for treatment in almost all major locations as an independent method or in combination with traditional types of treatment (surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy). Depending on the stage, nature and form of tumor growth, various laser irradiation options have been developed to increase the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy.

The method is based on the introduction of photosensitizers into the patient's body that selectively accumulate in the tumor tissue. The main idea of this method is to produce singlet oxygen and other active radicals to destroy tumor cells.

In addition to the direct phototoxic effect on tumor cells, in photodynamic therapy, an important role in the destruction mechanism is also played by a reduction in the blood supply to the tumor tissue caused by damage to the endothelium and blood vessel thrombosis, and cytokine reactions caused by stimulation of the production of tumor necrosis factor, interleukins, activation of macrophages and leukocytes.