Photodynamic therapy for cancer treatment – an update

Malaysian Health Technology Assessment (MaHTAS)
Record ID 32016000306
English
Authors' objectives: To assess the effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness of photodynamic therapy especially Next Generation Photodynamic Therapy (NGPDT) for the treatment of cancer.
Authors' recommendations: There was no retrievable scientific evidence on the effectiveness, safety and cost effectiveness on the Next Generation Photodynamic Therapy (NGPDT). However, the retrieved evidence showed that there was limited, adequately powered RCT's on PDT. From the above review it was found that: - There was insufficient evidence on the use of PDT in oesophageal cancer, lung cancer, brain cancer and cancers of the head and neck. Hence, further research into the role of PDT in these areas is needed. - PDT has the potential and may be effective in the treatment of actinic keratosis (AK), nodular basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and possibly for treating Barrett's oesophagus. - For cholangiocarcinoma, PDT may improve survival when compared with stenting alone. - For advanced and/or recurrent tongue base carcinoma, treatment was well tolerated by patients and has potential in shrinking tumour and controlling further progression. Evidence suggests that 5-ALAPDT and/or mTHPC-PDT may offer an effective alternative treatment for oral potentially malignant disorders. - A wide variety of photosensitisers were used and, overall, no serious adverse effects were linked to PDT. However caution should be taken on signs for Bruguda syndrome and buried neoplasms after PDT. The effectiveness of PDT and NGPDT in relation to other treatments is not yet apparent. High quality trials are warranted for PDT and NGPDT to establish their effectiveness and safety.
Details
Project Status: Completed
Year Published: 2013
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Not Assigned
Country: Malaysia
MeSH Terms
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms
  • Photochemotherapy
  • Photosensitizing Agents
Contact
Organisation Name: Malaysian Health Technology Assessment
Contact Address: Malaysian Health Technology Assessment Section, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Federal Government Administrative Centre, Level 4, Block E1, Parcel E, 62590 Putrajaya Malaysia Tel: +603 8883 1229
Contact Name: htamalaysia@moh.gov.my
Contact Email: htamalaysia@moh.gov.my
Copyright: Malaysian Health Technology Assessment (MaHTAS)
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