Photodynamic Therapy as Mesothelioma Treatment: An In-Depth Look
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Photodynamic therapy as mesothelioma treatment is a new approach. It uses a drug activated by light to better target cancer cells and protect healthy cells. Photodynamic therapy is of limited use for widespread cancer but may be useful as a supplemental treatment for mesothelioma.
What Is Photodynamic Therapy?
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a type of therapy used to treat cancer. It combines a photosensitizer (a special drug) with light:
- When the light is introduced to the photosensitizer, it produces a type of oxygen molecule that helps fight off cancer.
- Typically, the drug is injected into veins and absorbed by all cells in the body, both healthy and cancer cells.
- Within a few days, it will leave the normal healthy cells but remain in cancerous cells.
- The goal of PDT is to kill off cancerous cells and potentially kill off nearby structures that help transport cancer cells in the body but leave healthy cells intact.
What Are the Benefits to Photodynamic Therapy?
There are several potential benefits to patients who undergo PDT:[1]
- PDT is minimally invasive and performed in an outpatient setting.
- It has fewer side effects than traditional radiation and is generally tolerated well. In some cases, there may be temporary damage to nearby tissues, which the body can typically repair by itself in a short amount of time.
- PDT is very precise and can easily target areas just under the skin.
- PDT can be repeated in the same location if needed in the future.
- Recovery is a few hours to a few days with minimal side effects. The skin might be a little red, swollen, or irritated at the targeted site. You may also be more sensitive to sunlight in the upcoming days, and your doctor will give you specific instructions about how long to avoid direct sunlight.
Are There Risks Involved with Photodynamic Therapy?
PDT is not entirely without side effects. It can induce photosensitivity, making sunburn and eye pain in well-lit areas problematic.[1]
If the light used to activate the drugs penetrates non-cancerous tissues, those tissues may become inflamed. This inflammation can cause discomfort.
In pleural mesothelioma, this may mean coughing and difficulty breathing. Peritoneal mesothelioma sometimes manifests as abdominal pain or a burning sensation near the area targeted during treatment. Although not fully understood, it can decrease the immune system for a period of time following the therapy.[2]
Photodynamic Therapy vs. Other Treatment Methods
PDT is relatively easy with limited side effects, but it may not be appropriate for widespread mesothelioma in the body. It is best used for lesions directly underneath the skin rather than cancer that has spread throughout many organs.
It is not meant to replace other standard therapies, such as surgery and radiation, but may become an adjunct therapy option.
PDT vs. Surgery
PDT is less invasive and more affordable than surgery. Recovery after treatment is faster and less complicated. Surgery also leaves scarring and carries several risks. The more invasive the surgery, the greater the potential risks.
On the other hand, PDT treatment rarely leaves scars and can be carried out in an outpatient setting rather than a hospital. Unlike surgery, PDT cannot effectively treat cancer that has spread throughout organs and far away from the skin surface.
PDT vs. Radiation Therapy
Traditional radiation can be very effective in treating some instances of mesothelioma but does carry side effects. These sometimes include permanent damage to lung tissue or nearby organs, fatigue, and skin changes. Radiation is best used to control more extensive areas of cancer to slow the growth and spread. Typically, it cannot be repeated in the exact location.
In comparison, PDT is precisely targeted, treating the cancer directly while leaving healthy tissues mostly untouched. PDT does not have the same level of side effects, and it can be repeated many times in the same location.
PDT vs. Chemotherapy
Traditional chemotherapy involves administering drugs to patients. These drugs work to kill fast-growing cells, like mesothelioma. The benefits include reaching all the cells in the body and impacting the overall disease burden.
Chemotherapy can cause several unpleasant side effects. PDT cannot affect cancer growth throughout the whole body, but it can treat very specific lesions very well. Compared to chemotherapy, it has very minimal side effects and a swift recovery.
Ongoing Research
Researchers continue to investigate the efficacy of PDT in patients with mesothelioma, including in clinical trials. Most of these studies conclude that PDT can be an effective treatment in combination with others. When used with surgery and other treatments, PDT can help patients live longer.[3]
Who Are the Best Candidates for Photodynamic Therapy?
PDT is most effective when used in localized cancerous lesions directly under the skin. It is not meant to replace other best practice treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation, but rather to be used in addition to treating small lesions that may grow under the skin.
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Anne Courtney has a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and is an Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner. She has years of oncology experience working with patients with malignant mesothelioma, as well as other types of cancer. Dr. Courtney currently works at University of Texas LIVESTRONG Cancer Institutes.