Photodynamic therapy and associated targeting methods for treatment of brain cancer

Abstract

Brain tumors, including glioblastoma multiforme, are currently a cause of suffering and death of tens of thousands of people worldwide. Despite advances in clinical treatment, the average patient survival time from the moment of diagnosis of glioblastoma multiforme and application of standard treatment methods such as surgical resection, radio- and chemotherapy, is less than 4 years. The continuing development of new therapeutic methods for targeting and treating brain tumors may extend life and provide greater comfort to patients. One such developing therapeutic method is photodynamic therapy. Photodynamic therapy is a progressive method of therapy used in dermatology, dentistry, ophthalmology, and has found use as an antimicrobial agent. It has also found wide application in photodiagnosis. Photodynamic therapy requires the presence of three necessary components: a clinically approved photosensitizer, oxygen and light. This paper is a review of selected literature from Pubmed and Scopus scientific databases in the field of photodynamic therapy in brain tumors with an emphasis on glioblastoma treatment.

Keywords: PDT; brain cancer; diagnostics; glioblastoma; treatment.

FIGURE 1

Mechanism of PDT.

FIGURE 2

PRISMA flow diagram of included studies.

FIGURE 3

Estimated total number of cases and deaths due to brain and CNS tumors in 2020 in various regions of the world. Source: WHO Reports (Louis et al., 2021)

FIGURE 4

A diagram showing the mechanisms of destroying cancer cells by PDT.

FIGURE 5

(A) Mechanism of selective attachment of CAR-T lymphocytes to tumor cell receptors, 3 (B). Structure of a modified T lymphocyte with the CAR receptor.

FIGURE 6

Examples of nanostructures used in PDT.