Photodynamic Therapy Methods and Protocols

Biological interactions of visible light with photosensitizers have been studied for over a century while controlled clinical applications of light and photosensitizers to treat solid tumors, known as photodynamic therapy, have been evolving since the mid 1970’s. In Photodynamic Therapy: Methods and Protocols, leading PDT scientists and clinicians provide the first comprehensive collection of methods and protocols specifically related to relevant mechanistic, dosimetric, preclinical, and clinical procedures used in current PDT research. Reflecting the growing number of studies demonstrating that immunological, tumor microenvironmental, and vascular responses are all contributing to PDT treatment outcomes, the contents of this volume move beyond the more traditional PDT concepts in order to investigate the numerous signal transduction and cell death pathways involved. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology™ series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and notes which highlight tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Authoritative and cutting-edge, Photodynamic Therapy: Methods and Protocols is an ideal guide for new investigators just starting out in PDT research as well as seasoned investigators changing the direction of their research with the intention of exploring this vital field of study.

Death and Survival Signals in Photodynamic Therapy.- Photodynamic Therapy and Cell Death Pathways.- Identification of MAP Kinase Pathways Involved in COX-2 Expression Following Photofrin Photodynamic Therapy.- Metronomic PDT and Cell Death Pathways.- How to Monitor NF-?B Activation After Photodynamic Therapy.- Application of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid and Its Derivatives for Photodynamic Therapy In Vitro and In Vivo.- Hypoxia and Perfusion Labeling During Photodynamic Therapy.- Targeting the Tumor Microenvironment Using Photodynamic Therapy Combined with Inhibitors of Cyclooxygenase-2 or Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor.- Photochemical Internalization (PCI): A Technology for Drug Delivery.- Photodynamic Therapy-Generated Cancer Vaccines.- Antimicrobial Photodynamic Inactivation and Photodynamic Therapy for Infections.- Photodynamic Therapy of Bacterial and Fungal Biofilm Infections.- Calculation of Cellular Oxygen Concentration for Photodynamic Therapy In Vitro.- Fluorescent Molecular Imaging and Dosimetry Tools in Photodynamic Therapy.- Bifunctional Agents for Imaging and Therapy.- Photodynamic Diagnosis and Therapy and the Brain.- Photodynamic Therapy of Head and Neck Cancers.