Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) involves the use of photosensitising agents that are selectively retained within tumour cells. The agents remain inactive until exposed to light of the proper wavelength. When activated by light, these compounds generate toxic oxygen radicals that result in tumour necrosis. In the current issue of the European Respiratory Journal , Moghissi et al. 1 have provided an exhaustive review of PDT and lung cancer. PDT appears to be a therapeutic technique, with a low toxicity profile and photosensitising agents, such as sodium porfimer, that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and European Agencies for the photodynamic treatment of early and late stage lung cancer. However, despite 2 decades of basic research and clinical experience, only a few centres have regular experience of PDT. Furthermore, several issues remain as yet unresolved, such as the best indications of PDT, the use of photosensitising agents other than sodium porfimer, or the comparison ofPDT and other endobronchial therapies, such as electrocautery, Neodymium-doped Yttrium …
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