Cell death in photodynamic therapy: From oxidative stress to anti-tumor immunity

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy is a promising approach for cancer treatment that relies on the administration of a photosensitizer followed by tumor illumination. The generated oxidative stress may activate multiple mechanism of cell death which are counteracted by adaptive stress responses that target homeostasis rescue. The present renaissance of PDT was leveraged by the acknowledgment that this therapy has an immediate impact locally, in the illumination volume, but that subsequently it may elicit immune responses with systemic impact. The investigation of the mechanisms of cell death under the oxidative stress of PDT is of paramount importance to understand how the immune system is activated and, ultimately, to make PDT a more appealing/relevant therapeutic option.