Photodynamic Therapy for Colorectal Cancer: An Update and a Look to the Future

Overview

Journal Int J Mol Sci

Publisher MDPI

Specialties Biochemistry
Chemistry
Molecular Biology

Date 2023 Aug 12

PMID 37569580

Authors

Jose A Rodrigues

Jose H Correia

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

This review provides an update on the current state of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for colorectal cancer (CRC) and explores potential future directions in this field. PDT has emerged as a promising minimally invasive treatment modality that utilizes photosensitizers and specific light wavelengths to induce cell death in targeted tumor tissues. In recent years, significant progress has been made in understanding the underlying mechanisms, optimizing treatment protocols, and improving the efficacy of PDT for CRC. This article highlights key advancements in PDT techniques, including novel photosensitizers, light sources, and delivery methods. Furthermore, it discusses ongoing research efforts and potential future directions, such as combination therapies and nanotechnology-based approaches. By elucidating the current landscape and providing insights into future directions, this review aims to guide researchers and clinicians in harnessing the full potential of PDT for the effective management of CRC.

Citing Articles

Pathogenetic development, diagnosis and clinical therapeutic approaches for liver metastasis from colorectal cancer (Review).

Jin Z, Li Y, Yi H, Wang M, Wang C, Du S Int J Oncol. 2025; 66(3).

PMID: 39950314 PMC: 11844340. DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2025.5728.

Inhibition of MALAT1 facilitates ROS accumulation via the Keap1/HO-1 pathway to enhance photodynamic therapy in secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Wen Y, Li Y, Zhang D, Liu Z, Liu H, Li X Noncoding RNA Res. 2025; 11:249-261.

PMID: 39896343 PMC: 11787669. DOI: 10.1016/j.ncrna.2024.12.001.

In situ endoscopic photodynamic therapy combined with immature DC vaccination induces a robust T cell response against peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Degavre C, Lepez A, Ibanez S, Francois C, Glowacka K, Guilbaud C J Immunother Cancer. 2024; 12(11).

PMID: 39500528 PMC: 11552574. DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2024-009752.

Activity of Hydrophilic, Biocompatible, Fluorescent, Organic Nanoparticles Functionalized with Purpurin-18 in Photodynamic Therapy for Colorectal Cancer.

Chkair R, Couvez J, Bregier F, Diab-Assaf M, Sol V, Blanchard-Desce M Nanomaterials (Basel). 2024; 14(19).

PMID: 39404284 PMC: 11478336. DOI: 10.3390/nano14191557.

Porphyrin photosensitizer molecules as effective medicine candidates for photodynamic therapy: electronic structure information aided design.

Yin W, Li P, Huang H, Feng L, Liu S, Liu X RSC Adv. 2024; 14(40):29368-29383.

PMID: 39285886 PMC: 11404311. DOI: 10.1039/d4ra05585c.

References

Hatakeyama T, Murayama Y, Komatsu S, Shiozaki A, Kuriu Y, Ikoma H . Efficacy of 5-aminolevulinic acid-mediated photodynamic therapy using light-emitting diodes in human colon cancer cells. Oncol Rep. 2013; 29(3):911-6. PMC: 3597538. DOI: 10.3892/or.2013.2220. View

Simelane N, Abrahamse H . Nanoparticle-Mediated Delivery Systems in Photodynamic Therapy of Colorectal Cancer. Int J Mol Sci. 2021; 22(22). PMC: 8622021. DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212405. View

Songca S, Adjei Y . Applications of Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy against Bacterial Biofilms. Int J Mol Sci. 2022; 23(6). PMC: 8953781. DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063209. View

Shin Y, Park Y, Lee H, Choi Y, Eom J . Real-Time Monitoring of Colorectal Cancer Location and Lymph Node Metastasis and Photodynamic Therapy Using Fucoidan-Based Therapeutic Nanogel and Near-Infrared Fluorescence Diagnostic-Therapy System. Pharmaceutics. 2023; 15(3). PMC: 10057966. DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15030930. View

Vogl T, Eichler K, Mack M, Zangos S, Herzog C, Thalhammer A . Interstitial photodynamic laser therapy in interventional oncology. Eur Radiol. 2004; 14(6):1063-73. DOI: 10.1007/s00330-004-2290-8. View

Simelane N, Kruger C, Abrahamse H . Photodynamic diagnosis and photodynamic therapy of colorectal cancer and . RSC Adv. 2022; 10(68):41560-41576. PMC: 9058000. DOI: 10.1039/d0ra08617g. View

van Duijnhoven F, Rovers J, Engelmann K, Krajina Z, Purkiss S, Zoetmulder F . Photodynamic therapy with 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(m-hydroxyphenyl) bacteriochlorin for colorectal liver metastases is safe and feasible: results from a phase I study. Ann Surg Oncol. 2005; 12(10):808-16. DOI: 10.1245/ASO.2005.09.005. View

Chu Z, Tian T, Tao Z, Yang J, Chen B, Chen H . Upconversion nanoparticles@AgBiS core-shell nanoparticles with cancer-cell-specific cytotoxicity for combined photothermal and photodynamic therapy of cancers. Bioact Mater. 2022; 17:71-80. PMC: 8958283. DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2022.01.010. View

Zhu F, Tan G, Zhong Y, Jiang Y, Cai L, Yu Z . Smart nanoplatform for sequential drug release and enhanced chemo-thermal effect of dual drug loaded gold nanorod vesicles for cancer therapy. J Nanobiotechnology. 2019; 17(1):44. PMC: 6437988. DOI: 10.1186/s12951-019-0473-3. View

10.

Spada C, Hassan C, Bellini D, Burling D, Cappello G, Carretero C . Imaging alternatives to colonoscopy: CT colonography and colon capsule. European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) and European Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology (ESGAR) Guideline - Update 2020. Eur Radiol. 2020; 31(5):2967-2982. DOI: 10.1007/s00330-020-07413-4. View

11.

Olek M, Machorowska-Pieniazek A, Olek K, Cieslar G, Kawczyk-Krupka A . Photodynamic therapy in the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma - The state of the art in preclinical research on the animal model. Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther. 2021; 34:102236. DOI: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2021.102236. View

12.

Badran Z, Rahman B, De Bonfils P, Nun P, Coeffard V, Verron E . Antibacterial nanophotosensitizers in photodynamic therapy: An update. Drug Discov Today. 2023; 28(4):103493. DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103493. View

13.

Yu R, Maswikiti E, Yu Y, Gao L, Ma C, Ma H . Advances in the Application of Preclinical Models in Photodynamic Therapy for Tumor: A Narrative Review. Pharmaceutics. 2023; 15(1). PMC: 9867105. DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15010197. View

14.

Kleban J, Szilardiova B, Mikes J, Horvath V, Sackova V, Brezani P . Pre-treatment of HT-29 cells with 5-LOX inhibitor (MK-886) induces changes in cell cycle and increases apoptosis after photodynamic therapy with hypericin. J Photochem Photobiol B. 2006; 84(2):79-88. DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2006.02.003. View

15.

Lee D, Kwon S, Jang S, Park E, Lee Y, Koo H . Overcoming the obstacles of current photodynamic therapy in tumors using nanoparticles. Bioact Mater. 2021; 8:20-34. PMC: 8424083. DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2021.06.019. View

16.

He C, Duan X, Guo N, Chan C, Poon C, Weichselbaum R . Core-shell nanoscale coordination polymers combine chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy to potentiate checkpoint blockade cancer immunotherapy. Nat Commun. 2016; 7:12499. PMC: 4992065. DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12499. View

17.

Hamdan K, Tait I, Nadeau V, Padgett M, Carey F, Steele R . Treatment of grade III anal intraepithelial neoplasia with photodynamic therapy: report of a case. Dis Colon Rectum. 2003; 46(11):1555-9. DOI: 10.1007/s10350-004-6813-9. View

18.

Hong E, Choi D, Shim M . Targeted and effective photodynamic therapy for cancer using functionalized nanomaterials. Acta Pharm Sin B. 2016; 6(4):297-307. PMC: 4951583. DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2016.01.007. View

19.

Bae B, Yang S, Jeong S, Lee D, Na K, Kim J . Polymeric photosensitizer-embedded self-expanding metal stent for repeatable endoscopic photodynamic therapy of cholangiocarcinoma. Biomaterials. 2014; 35(30):8487-95. DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2014.07.001. View

20.

Lustig R, Vogl T, Fromm D, Cuenca R, Hsi R, DCruz A . A multicenter Phase I safety study of intratumoral photoactivation of talaporfin sodium in patients with refractory solid tumors. Cancer. 2003; 98(8):1767-71. DOI: 10.1002/cncr.11708. View