Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Photodynamic therapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: narrative review focusing on photosensitizers

  • Review Article
  • Published:
Lasers in Medical Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This narrative review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of PDT in early or advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Scopus, MEDLINE/PubMed, and Embase were searched electronically following the PRISMA protocol. Quality assessment was performed according to JBI, NIH, and AMSTAR protocols. The main outcomes evaluated were treatment response, recurrence, survival, and adverse effects. A total of 49 articles met the search criteria: 43 case series, two cohort studies, two prospective before-after clinical trials, one systematic review, and one meta-analysis. Data from 2121 SCCHN patients were included. The response to PDT was variable according to the type of photosensitizer, tumor location, and tumor stage. In general, higher complete responses rated were observed in T1/T2 SCCHN, mainly with mTHPC-mediated PDT. With regard to T3/T4 or advanced SCCHN tumors, there is no compelling evidence suggesting the effectiveness of PDT. Any adverse effects reported were well tolerated by patients. The present review suggests that PDT is a promising treatment modality for early-stage SCCHN. Although there are limitations due to the low level of evidence of the included studies, we believe that the present review could help to design robust clinical trials to determine the efficacy of PDT in SCCHN.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Gupta B, Johnson NW, Kumar N (2016) Global epidemiology of head and neck cancers: a continuing challenge. J Oncol 91:13–23. https://doi.org/10.1159/000446117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Muzaffar J, Bari S, Kirtane K, Chung CH (2021) Recent advances and future directions in clinical management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Cancers 13:338. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers13020338

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  3. Argiris A, Harrington KJ, Tahara M, Schulten J, Chomette P, Ferreira Castro A, Licitra L (2017) Evidence-based treatment options in recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Front Oncol 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2017.00072

  4. Vermorken JB, Specenier P (2010) Optimal treatment for recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancer. Ann Oncol 21:vii252–vii261. https://doi.org/10.1093/annonc/mdq453

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Van Straten D, Mashayekhi V, De Bruijn HS, Oliveira S, Robinson DJ (2017) Oncologic photodynamic therapy: basic principles, current clinical status and future directions. J Cancer 9:19. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers9020019

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Castano AP, Demidova TN, Hamblin MR (2005) Mechanisms in photodynamic therapy: part three—photosensitizer pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, tumor localization and modes of tumor destruction. Photodiagn Photodyn Ther 2:91–106. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1572-1000(05)00060-8

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Denis TGS, Aziz K, Waheed AA, Huang Y-Y, Sharma SK, Mroz P, Hamblin MR (2011) Combination approaches to potentiate immune response after photodynamic therapy for cancer. Photochem Photobiol Sci 10:792–801. https://doi.org/10.1039/C0PP00326C

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Abrahamse H, Hamblin Michael R (2016) New photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy. J Biochem J 473:347–364. https://doi.org/10.1042/BJ20150942

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Yoon I, Li JZ, Shim YK (2013) Advance in photosensitizers and light delivery for photodynamic therapy. Clin Endosc 46:7–23. https://doi.org/10.5946/ce.2013.46.1.7

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  10. Henderson BW, Busch TM, Snyder JW (2006) Fluence rate as a modulator of PDT mechanisms. Lasers Surg Med 38:489–493. https://doi.org/10.1002/lsm.20327

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Kishimoto S, Bernardo M, Saito K, Koyasu S, Mitchell JB, Choyke PL, Krishna MC (2015) Evaluation of oxygen dependence on in vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity of photoimmunotherapy using IR-700-antibody conjugates. Free Radic Biol Med 85:24–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2015.03.038

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  12. Morton CA, Szeimies RM, Basset-Seguin N, Calzavara-Pinton P, Gilaberte Y, Hædersdal M, Hofbauer GFL, Hunger RE, Karrer S, Piaserico S, Ulrich C, Wennberg AM, Braathen LR (2019) European Dermatology Forum guidelines on topical photodynamic therapy 2019 Part 1: treatment delivery and established indications – actinic keratoses, Bowen’s disease and basal cell carcinomas. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 33:2225–2238. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.16017

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Lucena SR, Salazar N, Gracia-Cazaña T, Zamarrón A, González S, Juarranz Á, Gilaberte Y (2015) Combined treatments with photodynamic therapy for non-melanoma skin cancer. Int J Mol Sci 16:25912–25933. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms161025912

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  14. FDA New Drug Application Database. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/ [Accessed January 2021]

  15. European Medicines Agency - Foscan Approval. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/foscan-epar-product-information_en.pdf [Accessed September 2021]

  16. Liberati A, Altman DG, Tetzlaff J, Mulrow C, Gøtzsche PC, Ioannidis JPA, Clarke M, Devereaux PJ, Kleijnen J, Moher D (2009) The PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies that evaluate health care interventions: explanation and elaboration. PLoS Med 6:e1000100. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000100

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  17. Park JO, Lee SI, Song SY, Kim K, Kim WS, Jung CW, Park YS, Im Y-H, Kang WK, Lee MH, Lee KS, Park K (2003) Measuring response in solid tumors: comparison of RECIST and WHO response criteria. Jpn J Clin Oncol 33:533–537. https://doi.org/10.1093/jjco/hyg093

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Munn Z, Aromataris E, Tufanaru C, Stern C, Porritt K, Farrow J, Lockwood C, Stephenson M, Moola S, Lizarondo L, McArthur A, Peters M, Pearson A, Jordan Z (2019) The development of software to support multiple systematic review types: the Joanna Briggs Institute System for the Unified Management, Assessment and Review of Information (JBI SUMARI). JBI Evid Implement 17. https://doi.org/10.1097/XEB.0000000000000152

  19. The National Heart L, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) (2021) Study Quality Assessment Tools https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/study-quality-assessment-tools []

  20. Shea BJ, Reeves BC, Wells G, Thuku M, Hamel C, Moran J, Moher D, Tugwell P, Welch V, Kristjansson E, Henry DA (2017) AMSTAR 2: a critical appraisal tool for systematic reviews that include randomised or non-randomised studies of healthcare interventions, or both. BMJ 358:j4008. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.j4008

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  21. Fan KFM, Hopper C, Speight PM, Buonaccorsi GA, Bown SG (1997) Photodynamic therapy using mTHPC for malignant disease in the oral cavity. Int J Cancer 73:25–32. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0215(19970926)73:1<25::AID-IJC5>3.0.CO;2-3

  22. Kübler A, De Carpentier J, Hopper C, Leonard A, Putnam G (2001) Treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the lip using Foscan-mediated photodynamic therapy. J Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 30:504–509. https://doi.org/10.1054/ijom.2001.0160

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Copper MP, Tan IB, Oppelaar H, Ruevekamp MC, Stewart FA (2003) Meta-tetra (hydroxyphenyl) chlorin photodynamic therapy in early-stage squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. J Arch Otolaryngology–Head Neck Surg 129:709–711. https://doi.org/10.1001/archotol.129.7.709

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. D’Cruz AK, Robinson MH, Biel MA (2004) mTHPC-mediated photodynamic therapy in patients with advanced, incurable head and neck cancer: a multicenter study of 128 patients. Head Neck 26:232–240. https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.10372

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Dilkes MG, Benjamin E, Ovaisi S, Banerjee AS (2003) Treatment of primary mucosal head and neck squamous cell carcinoma using photodynamic therapy: results after 25 treated cases. J Laryngol Otol 117:713–717. https://doi.org/10.1258/002221503322334558

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Hopper C, Kübler A, Lewis H, Tan IB,Group FS (2004) mTHPC-mediated photodynamic therapy for early oral squamous cell carcinoma. J Int J Cancer 111:138-146. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.20209

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Lou PJ, Jäger HR, Jones L, Theodossy T, Bown SG, Hopper C (2004) Interstitial photodynamic therapy as salvage treatment for recurrent head and neck cancer. Br J Cancer 91:441–446. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bjc.6601993

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  28. Copper M, Triesscheijn M, Tan I, Ruevekamp M, Stewart F (2007) Photodynamic therapy in the treatment of multiple primary tumours in the head and neck, located to the oral cavity and oropharynx. J Clin Otolaryngol 32:185–189. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2273.2007.01441.x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Lorenz KJ, Maier H (2009) Photodynamic therapy with meta-tetrahydroxyphenylchlorin (Foscan®) in the management of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: experience with 35 patients. J Eur Arch Oto-Rhino-Laryngol 266:1937. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-009-0947-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Tan IB, Dolivet G, Ceruse P, Poorten VV, Roest G, Rauschning W (2010) Temoporfin-mediated photodynamic therapy in patients with advanced, incurable head and neck cancer: a multicenter study. J Head Neck 32:1597–1604. https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.21368

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Jerjes W, Upile T, Hamdoon Z, Alexander Mosse C, Morcos M, Hopper C, medicine (2011) Photodynamic therapy outcome for T1/T2 N0 oral squamous cell carcinoma. J Lasers Surg Med 43:463–469. (a). https://doi.org/10.1002/lsm.21071

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Jerjes W, Upile T, Hamdoon Z, Abbas S, Akram S, Mosse CA, Morley S, Hopper C (2011) Photodynamic therapy: the minimally invasive surgical intervention for advanced and/or recurrent tongue base carcinoma. J Lasers Surg Med 43:283–292. (b). https://doi.org/10.1002/lsm.21048

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Karakullukcu B, van Oudenaarde K, Copper MP, Klop W, van Veen R, Wildeman M, Tan IB (2011) Photodynamic therapy of early stage oral cavity and oropharynx neoplasms: an outcome analysis of 170 patients. J Eur Arch Oto-Rhino-Laryngol 268:281–288. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-010-1361-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Karakullukcu B, Nyst HJ, van Veen RL, Hoebers FJ, Hamming-Vrieze O, Witjes MJ, de Visscher SA, Burlage FR, Levendag PC, Sterenborg HJ, Tan IB (2012) mTHPC mediated interstitial photodynamic therapy of recurrent nonmetastatic base of tongue cancers: Development of a new method. Head Neck 34:1597–1606. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-012-2104-6

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Karakullukcu B, Stoker SD, Wildeman AP, Copper MP, Wildeman MA, Tan IB (2013) A matched cohort comparison of mTHPC-mediated photodynamic therapy and trans-oral surgery of early stage oral cavity squamous cell cancer. J Eur Arch Oto-Rhino-Laryngol 270:1093–1097. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-012-2104-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. de Visscher SAHJ, Melchers LJ, Dijkstra PU, Karakullukcu B, Tan IB, Hopper C, Roodenburg JLN, Witjes MJH (2013) mTHPC-mediated photodynamic therapy of early stage oral squamous cell carcinoma: a comparison to surgical treatment. Ann Surg Oncol 20:3076–3082. https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-013-3006-6

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Caesar L, van Doeveren TE, Tan IB, Dilci A, van Veen RL, Karakullukcu B (2015) The use of photodynamic therapy as adjuvant therapy to surgery in recurrent malignant tumors of the paranasal sinuses. Photodiagn Photodyn Ther 12:414–421. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pdpdt.2015.06.001

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Lambert A, Nees L, Nuyts S, Clement P, Meulemans J, Delaere P, Vander Poorten V (2021) Photodynamic therapy as an alternative therapeutic tool in functionally inoperable oral and oropharyngeal carcinoma: a single tertiary center retrospective cohort analysis. Front Oncol 11:626394. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2021.626394

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  39. Grossweiner LI, Hill JH, Lobraico RV (1987) Photodynamic therapy of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: optical dosimetry and clinical trial. Photochem Photobiol 46:911–917. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-1097.1987.tb04868.x

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Wenig BL, Kurtzman DM, Grossweiner LI, Mafee MF, Harris DM, Lobraico RV, Prycz RA, Appelbaum EL (1990) Photodynamic therapy in the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. J Arch Otolaryngology–Head Neck Surg 116:1267–1270. https://doi.org/10.1001/archotol.1990.01870110039003

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Grant W, Hopper C, Speight P, Macrobert A, Bown S (1993) Photodynamic therapy of malignant and premalignant lesions in patients with ‘field cancerization’ of the oral cavity. J Laryngol Otol 107:1140–1145. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022215100125496

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Biel MA (1996) Photodynamic therapy and the treatment of head and neck cancers. J Clin Laser Med Surg 14:239–244. https://doi.org/10.1089/clm.1996.14.239

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Biel MA (1996) Photodynamic therapy as an adjuvant intraoperative treatment of recurrent head and neck carcinomas. Arch Otolaryngology–Head Neck Surg 122:1261–1265. https://doi.org/10.1001/archotol.1996.01890230105018

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Grant WE, Speight PM, Hopper C, Bown SG (1997) Photodynamic therapy: an effective, but non-selective treatment for superficial cancers of the oral cavity. J Int J Cancer 71:937–942. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0215(19970611)71:6<937::AID-IJC4>3.0.CO;2-Z

  45. Schweitzer VG (2001) PHOTOFRIN-mediated photodynamic therapy for treatment of early stage oral cavity and laryngeal malignancies. J Lasers Surg Med 29:305–313. https://doi.org/10.1002/lsm.1133

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Biel M (2006) Advances in photodynamic therapy for the treatment of head and neck cancers. Lasers Surg Med 38:349–355. https://doi.org/10.1002/lsm.20368

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Biel MA (2007) Photodynamic therapy treatment of early oral and laryngeal cancers. Photochem Photobiol 83:1063–1068. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-1097.2007.00153.x

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Rigual NR, Thankappan K, Cooper M, Sullivan MA, Dougherty T, Popat SR, Loree TR, Biel MA, Henderson B (2009) Photodynamic therapy for head and neck dysplasia and cancer. Arch Otolaryngology--Head Neck Surg 135:784–788. https://doi.org/10.1001/archoto.2009.98

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Schweitzer VG, Somers ML (2010) PHOTOFRIN-mediated photodynamic therapy for treatment of early stage (Tis-T2N0M0) SqCCa of oral cavity and oropharynx. J Lasers Surg Med 42:1–8. https://doi.org/10.1002/lsm.20881

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Uehara M, Ikeda H, Nonaka M, Asahina I (2010) Histopathological change of oral malignant tumour and epithelial dysplasia subjected to photodynamic therapy. J Oral Maxillofac Res. https://doi.org/10.5037/jomr.2010.1305

  51. Uehara M, Ikeda H, Nonaka M, Sumita Y, Nanashima A, Nonaka T, Asahina I (2011) Predictive factor for photodynamic therapy effects on oral squamous cell carcinoma and oral epithelial dysplasia. J Arch Oral Biol 56:1366–1372. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archoralbio.2011.04.012

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Ikeda H, Tobita T, Ohba S, Uehara M, Asahina I (2013) Treatment outcome of Photofrin-based photodynamic therapy for T1 and T2 oral squamous cell carcinoma and dysplasia. J Photodiagn Photodyn Ther 10:229–235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pdpdt.2013.01.006

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Toratani S, Tani R, Kanda T, Koizumi K, Yoshioka Y, Okamoto T (2016) Photodynamic therapy using Photofrin and excimer dye laser treatment for superficial oral squamous cell carcinomas with long-term follow up. Photodiagn Photodyn Ther 14:104–110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pdpdt.2015.12.009

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Hosokawa S, Takebayashi S, Takahashi G, Okamura J, Mineta H, medicine (2018) Photodynamic therapy in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. J Lasers Surg Med 50:420–426. https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.21368

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Hosokawa S, Takahashi G, K-i S, Takebayashi S, Okamura J, Takizawa Y, Mineta H (2020) Porfimer sodium-mediated photodynamic therapy in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Photodiagn Photodyn Ther 29:101627. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pdpdt.2019.101627

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Fan KF, Hopper C, Speight PM, Buonaccorsi G, MacRobert AJ, Bown SG (1996) Photodynamic therapy using 5-aminolevulinic acid for premalignant and malignant lesions of the oral cavity. J Cancer 78:1374–1383. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0142(19961001)78:7<1374::AID-CNCR2>3.0.CO;2-L

  57. Sieron A, Namyslowski G, Misiolek M, Adamek M, Kawczyk-Krupka A (2001) Photodynamic therapy of premalignant lesions and local recurrence of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 258:349–352. https://doi.org/10.1007/s004050100347

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Ahn PH, Quon H, O’Malley BW, Weinstein G, Chalian A, Malloy K, Atkins JH, Sollecito T, Greenberg M, McNulty S (2016) Toxicities and early outcomes in a phase 1 trial of photodynamic therapy for premalignant and early stage head and neck tumors. J Oral Oncol 55:37–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oraloncology.2016.01.013

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Yan J, Wang P, Li L, Zhang L, Zhang G, Tang Y, Wang X (2020) Surgery sequential with 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy for lip squamous cell carcinoma: two cases reports. Photodiagn Photodyn Ther 32:102043. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pdpdt.2020.102043

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Wang X, Li N, Meng J, Wen N (2021) The use of topical ALA-photodynamic therapy combined with induction chemotherapy for locally advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma. Am J Otolaryngol 42:103112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjoto.2021.103112

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Gluckman JL (1991) Hematoporphyrin photodynamic therapy: is there truly a future in head and neck oncology? Reflections on a 5-year experience. Laryngoscope 101:36–42. https://doi.org/10.1288/00005537-199101000-00007

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Feyh J (1996) Photodynamic treatment for cancers of the head and neck. J Photochem Photobiol B 36:175–177. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1011-1344(96)07366-6

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Yoshida T, Kato H, Okunaka T, Saeki T, Ohashi S, Okudaira T, Lee AM, Yoshida H, Maruoka H, Ito H, Funasaka S (1996) Photodynamic therapy for head and neck cancer. Diagn Ther Endosc 3:41–51. https://doi.org/10.1155/DTE.3.41

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  64. Rigual NR, Shafirstein G, Frustino J, Seshadri M, Cooper M, Wilding G, Sullivan MA, Henderson B and surgery n (2013) Adjuvant intraoperative photodynamic therapy in head and neck cancer. J JAMA Otolaryngol–Head 139:706-711. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaoto.2013.3387

  65. Rigual N, Shafirstein G, Cooper MT, Baumann H, Bellnier DA, Sunar U, Tracy EC, Rohrbach DJ, Wilding G, Tan W (2013) Photodynamic therapy with 3-(1′-hexyloxyethyl) pyropheophorbide a for cancer of the oral cavity. J Clin Cancer Res 19:6605–6613. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaoto.2013.3387

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Shafirstein G, Rigual NR, Arshad H, Cooper MT, Bellnier DA, Wilding G, Tan W, Merzianu M, Henderson BW (2016) Photodynamic therapy with 3-(1′-hexyloxyethyl) pyropheophorbide-a for early-stage cancer of the larynx: phase Ib study. Head Neck 38:E377–E383. https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.24003

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Ikeda H, Ohba S, Egashira K, Asahina I (2018) The effect of photodynamic therapy with talaporfin sodium, a second-generation photosensitizer, on oral squamous cell carcinoma: a series of eight cases. J Photodiagn Photodyn Ther 21:176–180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pdpdt.2017.11.016

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. de Visscher SA, Dijkstra PU, Tan IB, Roodenburg JL, Witjes MJ (2013) mTHPC mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) of squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck: a systematic review. Oral Oncol 49:192–210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oraloncology.2012.09.011

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  69. Cerrati EW, Nguyen SA, Farrar JD, Lentsch EJ (2015) The efficacy of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma: a meta-analysis. Ear Nose Throat J 94:72–79. https://doi.org/10.1177/014556131509400208

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  70. Bossi P, Alfieri S, Strojan P, Takes RP, López F, Mäkitie A, Saba NF, Rodrigo JP, Bradford C, Suarez C, Zafereo M, Forastiere AA, Vermorken JB, Quer M, Sanabria A, Simo R, de Bree R, Rinaldo A, Ferlito A (2019) Prognostic and predictive factors in recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a review of the literature. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 137:84–91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.critrevonc.2019.01.018

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. O’Connor AE, Gallagher WM, Byrne AT (2009) Porphyrin and nonporphyrin photosensitizers in oncology: preclinical and clinical advances in photodynamic therapy. Photochem Photobiol 85:1053–1074. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-1097.2009.00585.x

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  72. Gholam P, Denk K, Sehr T, Enk A, Hartmann M (2010) Factors influencing pain intensity during topical photodynamic therapy of complete cosmetic units for actinic keratoses. J Am Acad Dermatol 63:213–218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2009.08.062

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  73. Fink C, Enk A, Gholam P (2015) Photodynamic therapy – aspects of pain management. JDDG 13:15–22. https://doi.org/10.1111/ddg.12546

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  74. Allison RR, Downie GH, Cuenca R, Hu X-H, Childs CJH, Sibata CH (2004) Photosensitizers in clinical PDT. Photodiagn Photodyn Ther 1:27–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1572-1000(04)00007-9

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  75. Kessel D (2019) Photodynamic therapy: a brief history. J Clin Med 8. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm8101581

  76. Tsolekile N, Nelana S, Oluwafemi OS (2019) Porphyrin as diagnostic and therapeutic agent. J Mol 24:2669. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24142669

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  77. Chilakamarthi U, Giribabu L (2017) Photodynamic therapy: past, present and future. Chem Rec 17:775–802. https://doi.org/10.1002/tcr.201600121

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  78. Yano T, Kasai H, Horimatsu T, Yoshimura K, Teramukai S, Morita S, Tada H, Yamamoto Y, Kataoka H, Kakushima N, Ishihara R, Isomoto H, Muto M (2017) A multicenter phase II study of salvage photodynamic therapy using talaporfin sodium (ME2906) and a diode laser (PNL6405EPG) for local failure after chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy for esophageal cancer. Oncotarget 8:22135–22144. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.14029

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biophotonics Applied to Health Sciences, Nove de Julho University, UNINOVE, Rua Vergueiro, 235/249 - Liberdade, São Paulo, SP, 01504-001, Brazil

    Ana Melissa Ccopa Ibarra, Lara Jansiski Motta, Adriana Lino dos Santos Franco, Daniela de Fátima Teixeira da Silva & Maria Fernanda Setúbal Destro Rodrigues

  2. School of Medicine, Nove de Julho University, UNINOVE, São Paulo, Brazil

    Rebeca Boltes Cecatto

  3. Rehabilitation Service of the Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Rebeca Boltes Cecatto

  4. Department of Stomatology, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Av. Professor Lineu Prestes, 2227, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil

    Fabio Daumas Nunes

  5. Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Science, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein, 2028, South Africa

    Michael R Hamblin

  6. Radiation Biology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Michael R Hamblin

Authors
  1. Ana Melissa Ccopa Ibarra
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Rebeca Boltes Cecatto
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Lara Jansiski Motta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Adriana Lino dos Santos Franco
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Daniela de Fátima Teixeira da Silva
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Fabio Daumas Nunes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Michael R Hamblin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Maria Fernanda Setúbal Destro Rodrigues
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maria Fernanda Setúbal Destro Rodrigues.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary Information

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ibarra, A.M.C., Cecatto, R.B., Motta, L.J. et al. Photodynamic therapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: narrative review focusing on photosensitizers. Lasers Med Sci 37, 1441–1470 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-021-03462-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-021-03462-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation