International Journal of Molecular Sciences

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Petras Juzenas

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Guest Editor

Department of Pathology, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, 0310 Oslo, Norway
Interests: biophotonics; photodynamic therapy (PDT); photodetection (PD); photosensitiser; photochemical internalization (PCI)

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a combination of light with a lesion-localising photosensitiser and oxygen present in the lesion leading to photochemical and photobiological reactions that result in irreversible photodamage to the lesion. Photodetection (PD) is based on fluorescence spectroscopic and imaging techniques that aim to demarcate a lesion from surrounding healthy tissues. The specific fluorescence in the lesion is induced by a light source with a suitable wavelength(s), with the prior administration of a photosensitiser or its precursor in most cases. Although the phenomena of PDT and PD were discovered more than 100 years ago, the results from preclinical and clinical studies conducted worldwide during the past >45 years have established modern PDT and PD as the clinical modalities for a number of malignant and non-malignant disorders. Photochemical internalization, a novel PDT-based technology, is employed for the efficient delivery of endosome-trapped molecules into the cytosol of cells. Targeted PDT and nanotechnology have recently been contributing to the development of PDT and PD. As yet, no universal mechanism of action by which PDT works has been described, and it may have different mechanisms depending on the type of lesion treated, photosensitiser employed and/or light dose applied. This Special Issue aims to provide an update regarding the current status of PDT and PD, with an emphasis on the mechanism of molecular action involved.

Dr. Petras Juzenas
Guest Editor

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Keywords

photodynamic therapy (PDT)
photodetection (PD)
photosensitiser
photochemical internalization (PCI)
quantum dots
nanoparticles
nanotechnology
targeted therapy
immunotherapy
vaccines

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 10876 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Shedding Light on Photodynamic Therapy in the Treatment of Necrobiosis Lipoidica: A Multicenter Real-Life Experience

by Federica Li Pomi, Alfonso Motolese, Alessia Paganelli, Mario Vaccaro, Alberico Motolese and Francesco Borgia

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(7), 3608; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25073608 - 23 Mar 2024

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Abstract

Necrobiosis Lipoidica (NL) is a dermatological condition characterized by the development of granulomatous inflammation leading to the degeneration of collagen and subsequent formation of yellowish-brown telangiectatic plaques usually localized on the pretibial skin of middle-aged females. Due to its rarity and unclear etiopathogenesis, therapeutic options for NL are not well-standardized. Among them, photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an emerging tool, although its efficacy has primarily been evaluated in single case reports or small case series. This study reports the real-life experience of a cohort of NL patients treated with PDT at the Section of Dermatology of the University Hospital of Messina and Reggio-Emilia. From 2013 to 2023, 17 patients were enrolled —5 males (29%) and 12 females (71%) aged between 16 and 56 years (mean age: 42 ± 13 years), with a median duration of NL of 8 years. The overall complete clearance (>75% lesion reduction) was 29%, while the partial clearance (25–75% lesion reduction) was 59%, with 12% being non-responders. This study adds to the little amount of evidence present in the literature regarding the effectiveness of PDT in the treatment of NL. Variability in treatment responses among patients underscores the need for personalized protocols, optimizing photosensitizers, light sources, and dosimetry. The standardization of treatment protocols and consensus guidelines are essential to ensure reproducibility and comparability across studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photodynamic Therapy and Photodetection, 2nd Edition)

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9 pages, 1080 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Carbon–TiO₂ Hybrid Quantum Dots for Photocatalytic Inactivation of Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria

by Xiuli Dong, Yamin Liu, Audrey F. Adcock, Kirkland Sheriff, Weixiong Liang, Liju Yang and Ya-Ping Sun

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(4), 2196; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25042196 - 12 Feb 2024

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Abstract

Carbon–semiconductor hybrid quantum dots are classical carbon dots with core carbon nanoparticles doped with a selected nanoscale semiconductor. Specifically, on those with the nanoscale TiO₂ doping, denoted as C_TiO2-Dots, their synthesis and thorough characterization were reported previously. In this work, the C_TiO2-Dots were evaluated for their visible light-activated antibacterial function, with the results showing the effective killing of not only Gram-positive but also the generally more resistant Gram-negative bacteria. The hybrid dots are clearly more potent antibacterial agents than their neat carbon dot counterparts. Mechanistically, the higher antibacterial performance of the C_TiO2-Dots is attributed to their superior photoexcited state properties, which are reflected by the observed much brighter fluorescence emissions. Also considered and discussed is the possibility of additional contributions to the antibacterial activities due to the photosensitization of the nanoscale TiO₂ by its doped core carbon nanoparticles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photodynamic Therapy and Photodetection, 2nd Edition)

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Review

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9 pages, 507 KiB

Open AccessReview

Highways and Detours in the Realm of Photodynamic Therapy

by David Kessel and Qian Peng

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(6), 3119; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25063119 - 08 Mar 2024

Viewed by 578

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been a topic of interest since the first report in 1900 but has yet to become a ‘mainstream’ treatment protocol in the medical field. There are clear indications for which PDT might be the ‘method of choice’, but it is unlikely that there will be protocols for the treatment of systemic disease. This report discusses recent developments for promoting PDT efficacy, in the context of what is already known. Factors that can limit the scope of these applications are also indicated. Among the more interesting of these developments is the use of formulation techniques to target specific organelles for photodamage. This can enhance responses to PDT and circumvent situations where an impaired death pathway interferes with PDT efficacy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photodynamic Therapy and Photodetection, 2nd Edition)

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