15th Annual Congress of the European Society for Photodynamic Therapy in Barcelona, Spain, February 12-13th 2016

Abstract

We provide a summary of the presentations made at the recent Euro-PDT annual Congress. Presentations covered developments in topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) pertaining to dermatological applications. Recognizing the high prevalence and chronicity of actinic keratosis, one of the approved indications for PDT, there were recommendations to pursue field therapy to treat clinical and preclinical lesions. A separate section was reserved to review the strong evidence for the use of daylight PDT for actinic keratosis and experience of use of this well tolerated form of PDT was reported from several countries. Several presentations covered the remaining approved uses of topical PDT, Bowen's disease and basal cell carcinomas, as well as considering its role in so far unapproved indications including photorejuvenation.

Funding: Galderma.

Keywords: Actinic keratosis; Basal cell carcinomas; Bowen’s disease; Daylight PDT; Euro-PDT; Field therapy; Photodynamic therapy; Photorejuvenation.

Fig. 1

Prof. Lasse Braathen, Berne Switzerland, President EURO-PDT and Prof. Yolanda Gilaberte, Huesca, Spain, Congress President, during the Open Ceremony of the 15th Annual Congress of EURO-PDT

Fig. 2

Audience listening to talk of Dr. Colin Morton, Stirling, Scotland and Board Member of EURO-PDT on the recently published European Consensus on practical approach to the use of daylight-PDT

Fig. 3

Poster viewing session at the 15th Annual Congress of EURO-PDT in Barcelona, Spain. The Award-winning poster of Dr. García-Malinis on her study of MAL-PDT for Chondrodermatitis nodularis helicis is on the left

Fig. 4

Prof. Luis Torezan, Sao Paulo, Brazil presenting first clinical data on MAL-PDT split-scalp study for AK enhanced by topical pretreatment with the vitamin D analogue calcipotriol