Highways and Detours in the Realm of Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been a topic of interest since the first report in 1900 but has yet to become a ‘mainstream’ treatment protocol in the medical field. There are clear indications for which PDT might be the ‘method of choice’, but it is unlikely that there will be protocols for the treatment of systemic disease. This report discusses recent developments for promoting PDT efficacy, in the context of what is already known. Factors that can limit the scope of these applications are also indicated. Among the more interesting of these developments is the use of formulation techniques to target specific organelles for photodamage. This can enhance responses to PDT and circumvent situations where an impaired death pathway interferes with PDT efficacy.