Neoadjuvant Use of Photodynamic Therapy in Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinomas of the Face

Abstract

Background. This preliminary study sought to determine the success of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in reducing lesion size in an effort to assess the potential application of this treatment approach in a neoadjuvant role. Objectives. To quantify the effects of PDT on lesion area (mm2) for basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas of the face. Results. Eighteen participants (10 BCC lesions and 8 SCC lesions of the face) were assessed. Four lesions (all from the BCC group) showed a complete response to PDT. Of the remaining 14 lesions, 85.7% (n = 12) showed reductions in lesion area, while two lesions showed increase in lesion area. Proportional reductions for the 12 lesions that did not demonstrate complete response or an increase in area following-PDT were found to range from 13.2% to 85.1% (BCC) and 6.7% to 89.7% (SCC). Conclusions. PDT as a neoadjuvant treatment may provide a simple, efficient, and viable approach to reducing the area of malignant lesions of the face with the advantage of reduced cosmetic and aesthetic morbidities.

Neoadjuvant Therapy for Non-melanoma Skin Cancer: Updated Therapeutic Approaches for Basal, Squamous, and Merkel Cell Carcinoma

“…Actinic keratoses, superficial BCC, and Bowen’s disease/squamous cell carcinoma in situ are approved indications for PDT [ 84 ]. This technique can be also used for nodular BCCs, but response is inferior and recurrence rate is high, especially for lesions thicker than 2–3 mm; in addition, heavily pigmented lesions such as pigmented BCCs show less response [ 84 , 85 ].…”

“…PDT was used as neoadjuvant treatment in reducing lesion size for facial tumors (BCCs and SCCs) localized in functionally and aesthetically sensitive areas, showing improvement of the lesions and area reduction for most lesions [ 85 , 86 ] .…”

“…In addition to the photosensitizer cost, the procedure itself requires special equipment and qualified personnel. More than one session is usually needed (at least two or three treatments) [ 85 , 86 ] .…”

Combination of Oral Vitamin D3 with Photodynamic Therapy Enhances Tumor Cell Death in a Murine Model of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

“…ALA‐PDT offers the advantage of dual selectivity, because both the PpIX and the visible light can be localized to the tumor, minimizing any damage to the normal tissue. In dermatology clinics, ALA‐PDT is successfully used for treatment of actinic keratosis (sun‐induced precancers) and squamous carcinoma in situ .…”

lncRNA TINCR participates in ALA‐PDT‐induced apoptosis and autophagy in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

“…7 In addition, photodynamic therapy using 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), well known as ALA-PDT, is rapidly being accepted as a preferred modality in dermatologic oncology. 8 In dermatology clinics, ALA-PDT is successfully applied to the treatment of squamous carcinoma, 9,10 but the detailed mechanisms of inducing autophagy and apoptosis remain unclear.…”