Immunological effects of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of actinic keratosis and squamous cell carcinoma

Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther. 2018 Dec:24:342-348. doi: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2018.10.018. Epub 2018 Oct 28.

Abstract

The use of photodynamic therapy is extensive, due to its antitumoral, antibacterial and photorejuvenation effects. It destroys tumor via direct cell destruction and indirectly via vascular shutdown, induction of acute local inflammatory response and activation of the immune system. Both innate and adaptive immune cells are involved in the immunological effects of photodynamic therapy. In addition to UV-induced DNA damage, inflammation and immunosuppression are also essential elements in the pathogenesis of actinic keratosis. Both immunosuppression induced by UV and defective immune response to dysplastic keratinocytes may be the target of photodynamic therapy to eliminate actinic keratosis. These elements are discussed in the present review, highlighting the possible mechanism of photodynamic therapy to effectively treat actinic keratosis.

Keywords: Actinic keratosis; Immunology; Photodynamic therapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adaptive Immunity / drug effects
  • Alarmins / drug effects
  • Aminolevulinic Acid / immunology
  • Aminolevulinic Acid / pharmacology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / drug effects
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Humans
  • Inflammation Mediators / immunology
  • Keratosis, Actinic / drug therapy*
  • Keratosis, Actinic / immunology
  • Neutrophils / drug effects
  • Neutrophils / immunology
  • Photochemotherapy / methods*
  • Photosensitizing Agents / immunology*
  • Photosensitizing Agents / pharmacology*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / immunology

Substances

  • Alarmins
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Photosensitizing Agents
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Aminolevulinic Acid