photodynamic therapy – Oral Cancer News

Revolutionizing oral mucositis treatment: Antibacterial light-activated therapy in future protocols

Source: www.dentistryiq.com Author: Nina Garlo-Melkas, MSc Recent research suggests that antibacterial dual-light therapy may be an effective method to manage the symptoms of oral mucositis. Here’s what you need to know about this promising treatment. Oral mucositis, an inflammation of the oral mucosa, often occurs in association with cancer treatments, particularly radiation and chemotherapy. It manifests as severe pain, redness, and swelling in the mouth, potentially impacting the success of cancer therapy. To date, no existing medication has effectively prevented the development of mucositis. But recent research suggests that antibacterial dual-light therapy may be an effective method to manage the symptoms of this condition. Traditional approaches to treating oral mucositis include preventive measures such as maintaining good oral hygiene and using ice therapy during chemotherapy. If bacterial infection is present, doctors may consider the use of antibiotics. Corticosteroids are also a treatment option to alleviate pain and the inflammatory response associated with mucositis. However, corticosteroid use poses risks as it can suppress the immune system, making cancer patients more susceptible to infections.1,2 Ongoing research explores novel methods for preventing and treating oral mucositis. Mitochondria-stimulating red-light therapy has proven to be very effective in treating oral mucositis, particularly as a preventive measure. Although light therapy is estimated to be the most effective treatment modality, its widespread implementation faces challenges such as availability and practical issues.3 The latest studies investigate antibacterial treatments to preventively address oral mucosal ulcers originating from mucositis, aiming to mitigate the adverse effects of aggressive cancer treatments. In [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2024-01-31T11:31:01-07:00January, 2024|Oral Cancer News|

Novel endoscope gives clearer view of cancers

Source: optics.org Author: Tim Hayes An endoscope under development by a team from the University at Buffalo combines imaging ability with light delivery, as a means to improve both cancer detection and the efficient treatment of tumors once they have been discovered. The platform employs spatial frequency domain imaging (SFDI) as a means to improve the low-contrast image quality that some endoscopic systems are prone to. But it can also deliver a pulse of light of the necessary strength and intensity to burst nanoballoons of lipid-encapsulated drugs at the tumor site. SFDI is a relatively new technique that allows quantitative, depth-resolved measurements of tissue absorption and scattering parameters, as well as imaging of exogenously administrated fluorescence contrast agents, according to Ulas Sunar of Buffalo's Biomedical Engineering department. "The technique directs sinusoidal patterns of light at a tissue surface at multiple spatial frequencies, and measures a frequency-dependent tissue response that, once processed, yields information about the optical absorption and scattering parameters. This information can be much like a fingerprint," Sunar commented. "Quantifying absorption and scattering parameters is very important, since it allows an accurate determination of light propagation and attenuation in living tissue." SFDI can also quantify absolute fluorescence concentrations of exogenous agents, such as drugs that have been allowed to accumulate in cancerous tissues - an approach usually hindered by deterioration of the raw fluorescence signal thanks to strong tissue absorption and scatter. Knowledge of these concentrations is very useful, since drug distribution can allow better localization of the disease, [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2015-02-21T07:51:31-07:00February, 2015|Oral Cancer News|

Photodynamic therapy targets oral dysplasia, oral bacteria

Source: www.drbicuspid.com Author: Kathy Kincade, Editor in Chief Imagine being able to treat a suspicious lesion on a patient's tongue simply by applying a topical agent, waiting a few minutes, then exposing it to light from a handheld laser or light-emitting diode (LED) device. Imagine being able to treat bacterial and fungal infections in the oral cavity, even periodontal disease, using this same approach. That is the promise of photodynamic therapy (PDT), a minimally invasive technique that first came into medicine in the early 1900s and has been used to treat a plethora of medical conditions, including skin diseases, localized infections, age-related macular degeneration, and premalignant and malignant disorders. "PDT in the oral cavity would utilize a photosensitizing compound and a light source to activate the compound," explained Thomas Mang, PhD, research director in the Laser and Lightwave Research Center at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. "Traditionally, it has been used in head and neck lesions and oral lesions with a photosensitizer given intravenously. But in applications related to early oral lesions and those involving candida and oral species that may be involved with periodontal disease, we look to apply it topically." Distinct advantages Mang has been investigating PDT disinfection of oral biofilm and previously was involved with the development of PDT for treating cutaneous and other cancers while at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. He sees a bright future for PDT in dentistry, providing more selectivity and flexibility when treating patients with early oral lesions and microbial [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2012-10-04T13:43:26-07:00October, 2012|Oral Cancer News|

Photodynamic therapy shows promise in head/neck cancer

Source: www.drbicuspid.com Author: staff Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been shown to be effective as a curative therapy for early cancers of the head and neck, according to research presented at the recent International Photodynamic Association World Congress in Innsbruck, Austria. Researchers from Ondine Biomedical presented two studies at the conference. In the first, 469 patients with various neoplastic diseases of the head and neck were treated with PDT with follow-up time of up to 250 months. Patients with primary or recurrent carcinoma in situ and T1 carcinomas responded after one PDT treatment, and 88% remained free of the disease, according to the researchers. The second study focused on the use of PDT to down regulate MMP-9 gene expression in cell cultures of precancerous leukoplakia and oral squamous cell carcinoma. MMP-9 is expressed by squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck, and is one of the factors responsible for the ability of these cancers to invade into tissue and also to spread to other tissues. After one treatment of methylene blue PDT, gene expression of MMP-9 was significantly decreased in both the precancerous leukoplakia cells and the oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. This work demonstrated that methylene blue mediated PDT can downregulate proteins that promote the spreading of head and neck carcinoma, therefore potentially reducing the ability of these cancers to invade tissue and spread, the researchers noted. "These abstracts clearly confirm a role of PDT in the treatment of head and neck cancer," stated Carolyn Cross, chairman and CEO [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2011-06-14T10:06:50-07:00June, 2011|Oral Cancer News|

Photodynamic therapy linked to oral cancer benefit

Source: www.modernmedicine.com Author: staff Photodynamic therapy (PDT) appears useful in treating early-stage cancer of the mouth or oropharynx, either as a primary treatment or as an addition to unsuccessful surgery or radiation, according to research published in the January issue of Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. Vanessa Gayl Schweitzer, M.D., and Melissa L. Somers, M.D., of the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, discuss the outcomes of 30 patients with squamous cell carcinoma, stage Tis-T2N0M0, in the mouth or oropharynx. Most had undergone prior surgery or radiation, in combination or alone. All received intravenous porfimer sodium followed by photoactivation. Over an average follow-up of two years, the researchers found that 80 percent had complete remission. Twenty percent of patients were partial responders and had recurrences at points ranging from three to 26 months. Five patients -- four of whom were among the complete responders -- developed new primary head and neck tumors. "PDT is a promising additional local surgical oncologic modality for primary treatment of selective superficial carcinomas of the oral cavity and oropharynx with low risk for nodal metastases," the authors conclude. "The development of new and more tumor-specific photosensitizing agents with longer wave-length activation and deeper tissue penetration with shorter skin photosensitivity post-drug administration will expand the application of PDT for the treatment of superficial head and neck cancers."

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2010-01-29T19:54:30-07:00January, 2010|Oral Cancer News|

Light-mediated therapy aims to overcome both tumour cell uptake barriers and toxicity problems

Source: news.prnewswire.com Author: press release PCI Biotech Holding ASA, the Norwegian drug delivery company focusing on effective delivery of cancer therapeutics, today announced that the first patient has received treatment in the Phase I/II trial with the lead candidate Amphinex(R), which uses a new approach called photochemical internalisation. The patient was treated at the University College Hospital (UCH) in London. PCI's proprietary photosensitiser Amphinex(R) is in this study combined with the therapeutic agent bleomycin. When activated by light, Amphinex(R) promotes effective delivery of large therapeutic molecules such as bleomycin through triggered endosomal release. The trial will investigate a broadly representative spectrum of cancers including head and neck cancer and breast cancer, to demonstrate the safety and potential of this new approach. The primary objective of this study is to assess the maximum tolerated dose of Amphinex(R), in PCI treatment with bleomycin. Secondary objectives include determination of the antitumor activity of Amphinex(R) when used in combination with bleomycin, as well as its pharmacokinetics. Colin Hopper, Principal Investigator at UCH, said: "At UCH we are dedicated to high quality patient care and we have extensive experience in the use of photodynamic therapy to treat cancer patients. PCI is a very exciting new approach in photodynamic medicine that has shown great promise in preclinical studies. We are very proud of being the first centre to move this new technology into the clinic." Per Walday CEO of PCI Biotech, said: "This first in man trial is an important step forward for the company. We [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2009-08-24T20:34:26-07:00August, 2009|Oral Cancer News|

Jean faced death without surgery that would scar her forever – but a beam of light saved the day

Source: Author: Three weeks ago Jean Pringle drove 400 miles to her son Sean's wedding. What makes her journey remarkable is that just six weeks earlier she had received devastating news: the cancer in her tongue and neck had returned and the only option was a drastic operation. 'I was told I would probably lose my tongue and voice box, and I would also would need an operation on the right side of my neck,' says 64-year-old grandmother Jean. But the former supervisor in ladies' fashion for Marks & Spencer refused. 'I wanted my children and grandchildren to remember me as someone they did lovely fun things with, not as someone dribbling in a corner, who could only grunt.' Her doctors suggested she needed to sort out her will, as it was possible that she wouldn't live until her son's wedding in August. But not only did Jean make it to the wedding in Kent but, at the end of the evening, she was well enough to dance with her grandchildren. 'I felt great and I had a fantastic day,' she says. 'I'm not disfigured and both my tongue and voice box are working fine. In October, my husband and I are going on holiday to Capri and Sorrento in Italy - I never imagined I'd be making plans for the future.' Jean had a cancer treatment that has almost none of the distressing side-effects of conventional options. It is also far cheaper and has been approved by NICE (National [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2008-09-12T12:52:27-07:00September, 2008|Oral Cancer News|

Zapping oral cancer

Source: www.ktbs.com Author: staff Background: According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, this year, oral cancer will cause more than 8,000 deaths, killing roughly one person every hour. This deadly cancer often starts as a discolored area in the mouth called leukoplakia. Leukoplakia is a precancerous lesion that forms on the tongue or inside of the cheek in response to a persistent irritation. Irritation can be caused by dentures, fillings, crowns, smoking or chewing tobacco. The condition normally shows up as a white or red patch in the mouth. When leukoplakia is caused by tobacco use, it is called smoker's keratosis. These patches also sometimes appear on female genitalia, although the cause is unknown. A condition called hairy leukoplakia sometimes affects individuals with weakened immune systems, especially those with HIV or AIDS. This form of leukoplakia shows up as fuzzy, white patches that resemble folds or ridges on the sides of the tongue. Prevention: Since leukoplakia is most often caused by smoking or chewing tobacco, avoiding these habits drastically reduces your chances of developing the condition -- and the oral cancer that often follows it. Sun exposure and alcohol use also put you at a higher risk for developing oral cancer. Some studies suggest a diet high in fruits and vegetable help prevent leukoplakia. Catching leukoplakia early is another solid defense against developing oral cancer. See your physician if you notice a red or white spot or sore inside your mouth, on your tongue, on the inside of your cheek or [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2008-08-29T07:16:35-07:00August, 2008|Oral Cancer News|