Photodynamic therapy (PDT)
In Oncology, lasers are used to treat different tumors, predominantly if these are difficult to remove through surgery. Thus for instance, liver tumors are destroyed with the help of lasers.
More frequently however, laser has been used in combination with a photo-dynamic active agent. These light-sensitive medications are initially given either intra-venously or locally, depending on the position of the tumor. Radiation with laser rays is started after the active agent has spread in the tumor tissue.
The laser activates the active agent in a very targeted manner. Radicals are released in the tumor, which destroy the malignant tissue.
Photo-dynamic therapy offers specific advantages as compared to chemotherapy or the surgical process. The nausea associated with chemotherapy is conspicuous by its absence; the cosmetic results are superior to the results of the surgical process.
Temoporfin, an active agent of biolitecpharma is approved for the treatment of head / neck cancer. Thus far more than 3,000 patients have been treated. Temoporfin is effective in treating other tumors too. Tumors of the esophagus were treated in several studies, pancreas and prostate carcinoma, gastrointestinal tumors, breast cancer as well as dysplasia of the cervix. The study results are also very promising for skin tumors.
