Photodynamic Therapy is based on the stimulation of a light-sensitive substance (photosensitizer) which is infused into the bloodstream, injected locally. The photosensitizer binds with high specificity to pathologically changed tissue. When stimulated by (laser) light active oxygen radicals form and destroy this tissue without harming the surrounding healthy tissue.
The most common photosensitizers are:
- Chlorin E6
- Indocyanine green (ICG)
They can be administered orally or as infusion.
Besides photodynamic tumor therapy PDT can be performed to treat bacterial, viral and parasitic diseases (anti-microbial PDT). The key benefit of this approach is the combat of multiresistant pathogens. In some cases this technology can be used to help treat cancer also!