Rajan Sheeja S, Merlin J P Jose, Abrahamse Heidi
Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein, P.O. Box 17011, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa.
Pharmaceutics. 2025 Apr 24;17(5):559. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics17050559.
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are essential for the growth of malignancies because they encourage resistance to cancer therapy and make metastasis and relapse easier. To effectively tackle the obstacles presented by CSCs, novel therapeutic approaches are required. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising treatment option for cancer cells, which uses light-sensitive medications that are activated by light wavelengths. This review investigates the use of PDT to overcome malignancies driven by CSCs that have innate resistance mechanisms. PDT works by causing tumor cells to accumulate photosensitizers (PSs) selectively. The reactive oxygen species (ROS), which kill cells, are released by these PSs when they are stimulated by light. According to recent developments in PDT, its efficacy may go beyond traditional tumor cells, providing a viable remedy for the resistance shown by CSCs. Researchers want to improve the targeted elimination and selective targeting of CSCs by combining PDT with new PSs and customized delivery systems. Studies emphasize how PDT affects CSCs as well as bulk tumor cells. According to studies, PDT not only limits CSC growth but also modifies their microenvironment, which lowers the possibility of recovery. Additionally, studies are being conducted on the utilization of PDT and immunotherapeutic techniques to improve treatment efficacy and overcome inherent resistance of CSCs. In conclusion, PDT is a viable strategy for treating carcinogenesis driven by CSCs. By applying the most recent advancements in PDT technologies and recognizing how it interacts with CSCs, this treatment has the potential to surpass traditional resistance mechanisms and improve the future of cancer patients. Clinical and preclinical studies highlight that combining PDT with CSC-targeted approaches has the potential to overcome current therapy limitations. Future efforts should focus on clinical validation, optimizing light delivery and PS use, and developing effective combination strategies to target CSCs.
癌症干细胞（CSCs）对于恶性肿瘤的生长至关重要，因为它们会促使肿瘤产生抗药性，更容易发生转移和复发。为了有效应对癌症干细胞带来的障碍，需要新的治疗方法。光动力疗法（PDT）是一种有前景的癌细胞治疗选择，它使用由特定波长的光激活的光敏药物。这篇综述探讨了如何利用光动力疗法来克服由具有固有抗性机制的癌症干细胞驱动的恶性肿瘤。光动力疗法的工作原理是使肿瘤细胞选择性地积累光敏剂（PSs）。当这些光敏剂受到光刺激时，会释放出杀死细胞的活性氧（ROS）。根据光动力疗法的最新进展，其疗效可能超越传统肿瘤细胞，为癌症干细胞所表现出的抗性提供一种可行的治疗方法。研究人员希望通过将光动力疗法与新型光敏剂和定制的递送系统相结合，来改善对癌症干细胞的靶向清除和选择性靶向。研究强调了光动力疗法对癌症干细胞以及实体肿瘤细胞的影响。研究表明，光动力疗法不仅能限制癌症干细胞的生长，还能改变它们的微环境，从而降低复发的可能性。此外，正在进行关于利用光动力疗法和免疫治疗技术来提高治疗效果并克服癌症干细胞固有抗性的研究。总之，光动力疗法是治疗由癌症干细胞驱动的致癌作用的一种可行策略。通过应用光动力疗法技术的最新进展，并了解其与癌症干细胞的相互作用方式，这种治疗方法有可能超越传统的抗性机制，改善癌症患者的未来。临床和临床前研究表明，将光动力疗法与针对癌症干细胞的方法相结合，有可能克服当前治疗的局限性。未来的努力应集中在临床验证、优化光递送和光敏剂的使用，以及开发针对癌症干细胞的有效联合策略上。
