Photodynamic therapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: narrative review focusing on photosensitizers

Author(s)

Ccopa Ibarra, Ana Melissa ^[1] ; Cecatto, Rebeca Boltes ^{[2, 3]} ; Motta, Lara Jansiski ^[1] ; dos Santos Franco, Adriana Lino ^[1] ; Teixeira da Silva, Daniela de Fatima ^[1] ; Nunes, Fabio Daumas ^[4] ; Hamblin, Michael R. ^{[5, 6]} ; Setubal Destro Rodrigues, Maria Fernanda ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] UNINOVE, Nove Julho Univ, Biophoton Appl Hlth Sci, Rua Vergueiro, 235-249 Liberdade, BR-01504001 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] UNINOVE, Nove Julho Univ, Sch Med, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Med, Inst Canc Estado Sao Paulo, Rehabil Serv, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Dent, Dept Stomatol, Av Prof Lineu Prestes, 2227, Cidade Univ, BR-05508000 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[5] Univ Johannesburg, Fac Hlth Sci, Laser Res Ctr, ZA-2028 Doornfontein - South Africa

^[6] Iran Univ Med Sci, Radiat Biol Res Ctr, Tehran - Iran

• Document type: Review article
• Source: Lasers in Medical Science; DEC 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

This narrative review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of PDT in early or advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Scopus, MEDLINE/PubMed, and Embase were searched electronically following the PRISMA protocol. Quality assessment was performed according to JBI, NIH, and AMSTAR protocols. The main outcomes evaluated were treatment response, recurrence, survival, and adverse effects. A total of 49 articles met the search criteria: 43 case series, two cohort studies, two prospective before-after clinical trials, one systematic review, and one meta-analysis. Data from 2121 SCCHN patients were included. The response to PDT was variable according to the type of photosensitizer, tumor location, and tumor stage. In general, higher complete responses rated were observed in T1/T2 SCCHN, mainly with mTHPC-mediated PDT. With regard to T3/T4 or advanced SCCHN tumors, there is no compelling evidence suggesting the effectiveness of PDT. Any adverse effects reported were well tolerated by patients. The present review suggests that PDT is a promising treatment modality for early-stage SCCHN. Although there are limitations due to the low level of evidence of the included studies, we believe that the present review could help to design robust clinical trials to determine the efficacy of PDT in SCCHN. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/08540-8 - Immnunotherapy to target cancer stem cell subpopulations in oral squamous cell carcinoma: the role of natural killer cells
• Grantee: Maria Fernanda Setúbal Destro Rodrigues
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants