Photodynamic Therapy : An Overview and Insights into a Prospective Mainstream Anticancer Therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) procedure has minimum invasiveness in contrast to conventional anticancer surgical procedures. Although clinically approved a few decades ago, it is not commonly used due its poor efficacy, mainly light penetration into deeper tissues. PDT uses photosensitizer (PS), which photoactivated on illumination by of appropriate wavelength and oxygen the tissue, leading series photochemical reactions producing reactive species (ROS) triggering various mechanisms resulting lethal effects tumor cells. This review looks fundamental aspects PDT, such as photochemistry, photobiological effects, current clinical applications improving become mainstream therapeutic against broad spectrum cancers malignant lesions. The side both early late-onset, are elaborated detail highlight available options minimize without compromising efficacy. paper summarizes benefits, drawbacks, limitations photodynamic along with recent attempts achieve improved efficacy via monitoring cellular molecular processes through fluorescent imagery aided suitable biomarkers, prospective nanotechnology-based targeted delivery methods, use scintillating nanoparticles deliver remote locations also combining therapies have opened up new dimensions for treating cancers. inquires critically analyses avenues breakthrough would finally enable be integrated therapy.