Photodynamic Therapy and the Immune System

PDT apparently increases antitumor immunity in addition to directly destroying lesions of basal cell carcinoma.

Dermatologists are using photodynamic therapy (PDT) more frequently to treat actinic keratoses and superficial nonmelanoma skin cancers. PDT generates reactive oxygen intermediates, which have a direct destructive effect on the treated lesions. Experimental evidence, derived primarily from animal models, suggests that PDT may also produce indirect antitumor effects by damaging the tumor vasculature and, possibly, by altering antitumor immunity. Now, investigators have examined whether PDT augments antitumor immunity in 21 patients treated with PDT for basal cell carcinoma (BCC).

The researchers compared levels of one marker of the systemic immune response before and after treatment. They measured the pre- and posttreatment capacity of CD8⁺ T…

Reviewing Author

Craig A. Elmets, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Astellas Pharmaceuticals

EquityVaxin

Grant / Research support NIH; NIH/NCI; Veteran’s Administration; Ferndale Laboratories; Kyowa Hakko Kirin Pharma, Inc.

Editorial boards Cancer Prevention Research; Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, & Photomedicine; UpToDate; eMedicine; Journal of Dermatological Sciences; JAMA Dermatology

Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Vice Chair, Committee on Science and Research); Photomedicine Society (Board of Directors)