Photodynamic therapy (
PDT) is an established treatment modality for
non-small cell lung cancer.
Phototoxicity, the primary adverse event, is expected to be minimized with the introduction of new
photosensitizers that have shown promising results in phase I and II clinical studies. Early-stage and superficial endobronchial lesions less than 1 cm in thickness can be effectively treated with external light sources. Thicker lesions and peripheral lesions may be amenable to interstitial
PDT, where the light is delivered intratumorally. The addition of
PDT to standard-of-care surgery and
chemotherapy can improve survival and outcomes in patients with
pleural disease. Intraoperative
PDT has shown promise in the treatment of
non-small cell lung cancer with pleural spread. Recent preclinical and clinical data suggest that
PDT can increase antitumor immunity. Crosslinking of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 molecules is a reliable
biomarker to quantify the photoreaction induced by
PDT. Randomized studies are required to test the prognosis value of this
biomarker, obtain approval for the new
photosensitizers, and test the potential efficacy of interstitial and intraoperative
PDT in the treatment of patients with
non-small cell lung cancer.