Perspectives on the application of nanotechnology in photodynamic therapy for the treatment of melanoma.

ABSTRACT: Malignant melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer and has been traditionally considered difficult to treat. The worldwide incidence of melanoma has been increasing faster than any other type of cancer. Early detection, surgery, and adjuvant therapy enable improved outcomes; nonetheless, the prognosis of metastatic melanoma remains poor. Several therapies have been investigated for the treatment of melanoma; however, current treatment options for patients with metastatic disease are limited and non-curative in the majority of cases. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been proposed as a promising minimally invasive therapeutic procedure that employs three essential elements to induce cell death: a photosensitizer, light of a specific wavelength, and molecular oxygen. However, classic

SUBMITTER: Monge-Fuentes V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4152551 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature