Light/Laser Application in Drug Delivery in Photodynamic therapy

Abstract

One of the most typical parts of the dermatologist’s work is that of prescribing topical treatments to induce a local effect against a skin disease. However, absorption of these agents is limited by the skin’s main function as a barrier to the external environment. So far, various stimuli- responsive systems have been considered in therapeutic approaches to regulate the release of the medicine, including endogenous stimuli (e.g. pH, enzyme, redox reaction, etc.) and exogenous stimuli (e.g., light, magnetic field, ionizing irradiation, etc.). Topical drugs can be more easily absorbed by means of physical methods in what is known as transdermal delivery. Transdermal drug delivery involves assisted transport of substances across the epidermis using various physical methods. This promising method of drug delivery to the body makes it possible to increase the absorption achieved with respect to topical delivery. One of the main methods involves lasers, which have led to exponential growth in the use of the technique known as laser-assisted drug delivery (LADD). Photodynamic therapy (PDT) phenomenon is based on three aspects light, photosensitive material and O2. Developing Nano technologies and light activated light responsive materials, plays a key role in developing the efficacy of the PDT. Here we would like to review light/laser application in drug delivery in photodynamic therapy.

Speaker

Afshan Shirkavand
Department of Photodynamic, Medical Laser Research Center (MLRC), Yara Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
Iran

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