PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY OF CANCER: IMMUNOLOGICAL APPROACH OF TREATMENT
Photodynamic therapy is a clinically approved therapeutic modality used for the management of several types of tumors. In contrast to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, PDT is selectively destroyed the tumor without any toxic effects on normal tissues. Photosensitizers are known to accumulate in tumor and generate the reactive oxygen species after exposure to harmless light to kill malignant cells by apoptosis and/or necrosis, shut down the tumor vasculature and stimulate the host immune system. This review summarizes the influence of PDT on the immune response and discusses different immunotherapeutic approaches which can be used to improve effectiveness and extend the applications of PDT in clinic.