Photodynamic therapy for the precise treatment of localized prostate cancer

Over the past 20 years, early diagnosis of prostate cancer has become increasingly prevalent due to the promotion of prostate-specific antigens, and its treatment has become a focal point. However, there are some drawbacks associated with therapies for early prostate cancer, such as active surveilla...

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Main Authors: Youcheng Xu, Qinyuan Tan, Chong Sun, Yuefeng Jia, Shengxian Li, Xuecheng Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-02-01
Series:Frontiers in Oncology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1454392/full
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author Youcheng Xu
Qinyuan Tan
Chong Sun
Yuefeng Jia
Shengxian Li
Xuecheng Yang
author_facet Youcheng Xu
Qinyuan Tan
Chong Sun
Yuefeng Jia
Shengxian Li
Xuecheng Yang
author_sort Youcheng Xu
collection DOAJ
description Over the past 20 years, early diagnosis of prostate cancer has become increasingly prevalent due to the promotion of prostate-specific antigens, and its treatment has become a focal point. However, there are some drawbacks associated with therapies for early prostate cancer, such as active surveillance and radical prostatectomy, which may include urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and urinary tract infection. In contrast, photodynamic therapy (PDT) is introduced into the treatment of prostate cancer because of its advantages, such as high precision to tumor cells, low toxicity, and no radiation. Compared to radical prostatectomy, the PDT has low risk and minimal trauma. Although PDT is in the early stages of clinical development, it holds promise for the effective treatment of localized prostate cancer. Herein, we reviewed studies on the mechanisms of PDT and photosensitizers for prostate cancer. Given the rapid development of nanotechnology, photosensitizers wrapped by nanomaterials have emerged as new option with significant advantages, particularly of in achieving high tumor selectivity using functional nanomaterials. Numerous PDT clinical trials on prostate cancer have been conducted worldwide. We also reviewed the results of a few photosensitizers in these clinical trials. However, a few limitations and challenges regarding PDT for prostate cancer still exist. In addition, future development and potential clinical application strategies of future PDT are predicted.
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publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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series Frontiers in Oncology
spelling doaj-art-e20683d9b85a49fbb170eb74c5929a662025-02-05T05:17:48ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2025-02-011510.3389/fonc.2025.14543921454392Photodynamic therapy for the precise treatment of localized prostate cancerYoucheng Xu0Qinyuan Tan1Chong Sun2Yuefeng Jia3Shengxian Li4Xuecheng Yang5Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, ChinaDepartment of Urology, The People’s Hospital of Jimo, Qingdao, ChinaDepartment of Spine Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, ChinaDepartment of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, ChinaDepartment of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, ChinaDepartment of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, ChinaOver the past 20 years, early diagnosis of prostate cancer has become increasingly prevalent due to the promotion of prostate-specific antigens, and its treatment has become a focal point. However, there are some drawbacks associated with therapies for early prostate cancer, such as active surveillance and radical prostatectomy, which may include urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and urinary tract infection. In contrast, photodynamic therapy (PDT) is introduced into the treatment of prostate cancer because of its advantages, such as high precision to tumor cells, low toxicity, and no radiation. Compared to radical prostatectomy, the PDT has low risk and minimal trauma. Although PDT is in the early stages of clinical development, it holds promise for the effective treatment of localized prostate cancer. Herein, we reviewed studies on the mechanisms of PDT and photosensitizers for prostate cancer. Given the rapid development of nanotechnology, photosensitizers wrapped by nanomaterials have emerged as new option with significant advantages, particularly of in achieving high tumor selectivity using functional nanomaterials. Numerous PDT clinical trials on prostate cancer have been conducted worldwide. We also reviewed the results of a few photosensitizers in these clinical trials. However, a few limitations and challenges regarding PDT for prostate cancer still exist. In addition, future development and potential clinical application strategies of future PDT are predicted.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1454392/fullphotodynamic therapylocalized prostate cancerphotosensitizerprecise treatmentcombined therapy
spellingShingle Youcheng Xu
Qinyuan Tan
Chong Sun
Yuefeng Jia
Shengxian Li
Xuecheng Yang
Photodynamic therapy for the precise treatment of localized prostate cancer
Frontiers in Oncology
photodynamic therapy
localized prostate cancer
photosensitizer
precise treatment
combined therapy
title Photodynamic therapy for the precise treatment of localized prostate cancer
title_full Photodynamic therapy for the precise treatment of localized prostate cancer
title_fullStr Photodynamic therapy for the precise treatment of localized prostate cancer
title_full_unstemmed Photodynamic therapy for the precise treatment of localized prostate cancer
title_short Photodynamic therapy for the precise treatment of localized prostate cancer
title_sort photodynamic therapy for the precise treatment of localized prostate cancer
topic photodynamic therapy
localized prostate cancer
photosensitizer
precise treatment
combined therapy
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1454392/full
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AT qinyuantan photodynamictherapyfortheprecisetreatmentoflocalizedprostatecancer
AT chongsun photodynamictherapyfortheprecisetreatmentoflocalizedprostatecancer
AT yuefengjia photodynamictherapyfortheprecisetreatmentoflocalizedprostatecancer
AT shengxianli photodynamictherapyfortheprecisetreatmentoflocalizedprostatecancer
AT xuechengyang photodynamictherapyfortheprecisetreatmentoflocalizedprostatecancer