Photosensitization of mammalian cells by psoralens and porphyrins.

Because of the ability of photosensitizers to induce specific photochemical reactions in vivo, leading to cell injury and death, many such molecules have been considered as therapeutic agents. Among them two classes of sensitizers, i.e. furocoumarins (psoralens) and porphyrins, are currently used for the photochemotherapy of various skin diseases and malignant lesions. Different types of cell responses can result according to the intracellular localization of the photosensitizer and to the nature of the photochemistry induced by the chromophore which absorbs photons. In this review, the cytological aspects of photosensitization by psoralens and porphyrins will be discussed.