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History of Photodynamic Therapy

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Abstract

The history of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in medicine can be traced to the beginning of the twentieth century. Raab first reported, in 1900, that paramecia cells (Paramecium caudatum) were not affected when exposed to either acridine orange or a light source, but that they died within 2 h if exposed to both acridine orange and the light at the same time. PDT research turned to other potential photosensitizers following the initial reports, mainly those related to porphyrins. From these clinical investigations, the principles of PDT in human cancer cells had now been firmly established. PDT has truly become a global therapeutic option for many patients we treat in dermatology.

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Correspondence to Michael H. Gold .

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© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

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Gold, M.H. (2011). History of Photodynamic Therapy. In: Gold, M. (eds) Photodynamic Therapy in Dermatology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1298-5_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1298-5_1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-1297-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-1298-5

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