RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:Theralase current statusEoganacht wrote: Dr. Lilge is part of the team trying to make this happen. His research focus is on making oncological photodynamic therapy in general more practical and effective. And right now Theralase is the only game in town.
Longholder99 wrote: The new standard of care for many types of cancer in the near future....and Lothar Lilge knows it. Ive been continuing to accumulate. Many thanks to the strong contributors here.
Yes...imo, we couldn't have anyone more qualified than Dr. Lilge to simplify/perfect TLT's PDT approach, which is an ongoing process for sure. However, visible/NIR light PDT will always have its physical/tissue depth limitations, necessitating the development of interstitial light-delivery strategies to address the more deep-seated tumors. Found this abstract looking at a potentially more practical approach for inoperable or more deeply embedded tumors....I.e. combining a scintillator with a photosensitizer (TLD-1433/Rutherrin) into a nanocarrier/nanosphere that would enable a more efficient form of radioPDT.
Key for those less familiar:
high-Z element = metallic/ruthenium-based photosensitizer
Nanoscintillators-Induced Deep-Tissue Photodynamic Therapy Upon X-Rays Irradiation
Abstract : Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a cancer therapy that demonstrates promising results for the treatment of several cancers including brain, gastrointestinal and ovarian cancers, diseases associated with a dismal prognosis. The PDT efficacy derives from non-toxic molecules (photosensitizers) that generate reactive oxygen species upon light irradiation, inducing cytotoxicity. Although promising, PDT is limited by the shallow penetration of light in tissue and its application remains restricted to small and/or superficial tumors. Recently, it has been proposed to use nanoscintillators to induce deep tissue PDT. Nanoscintillators are down-converting nanoparticles that absorb high energy X-ray photons and emit visible light, that can subsequently excite nearby photosensitizers and induce PDT in deep tissue embedded tumors and across large tumor volumes. Through this mechanism, the RT/PDT combination efficacy is likely to benefit from three contributions: the RT, the PDT and the radiation dose enhancement effect that is observed when high-Z elements are accumulated within a tumor before the RT. Since the introduction of this idea, proofs of concept have been reported, yet many questions remain to be answered. In this communication, we will discuss the effect of low dose PDT combined with RT applied to 3D heterocellular models of pancreatic cancer. We will also present the ongoing project we are developing around X-PDT for brain and ovarian cancers using synchrotron radiation to deliver RT.