Photodynamic therapy as a cancer treatment
Click the Poster to View Full Screen, Right click to save image
Helene Sendji
College:
The Dorothy and George Hennings College of Science, Mathematics, and Technology
Major:
Chemistry
Faculty Research Advisor(s):
Subhasish Chatterjee, Matthew Mongelli
Abstract:
Photodynamic therapy as a cancer treatment
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a form of therapy that involves light and photosensitizing chemical substances, used in conjunction with molecular oxygen to elicit cell death. It could also be defined as a non-invasive treatment successfully used for neoplastic, inflammatory and infectious skin diseases. It is a treatment involving light-sensitive medicine and a light source to destroy abnormal cells. It can be used to treat many cancers (breast cancer, skin cancer, prostate cancer); it can also be used for some skin and eyes problems. Over many decades now, PDT has been used to treat many different types of cancer and other problems. Researches prove that PDT does not compromise other treatment options. Therefore; it appears as a promising alternative treatment for controlling malignant diseases. Further in my research, it was found out that the use of PDT as a method of treatment can also be the cause of some dangerous reactions to our body.