Photochemical predictive analysis of photodynamic therapy in dermatology

Abstract

Photodynamic Therapy is a recent treatment modality that allows malignant tissue destruction. The technique provides a localized effect and good cosmetic results. The application of Photodynamic Therapy is based on the inoculation of a photosensitizer and the posterior irradiation by an optical source. This radiation chemically activates the drug and provokes reactions that lead to tissue necrosis. Nowadays there are fixed clinical Photodynamic Therapy protocols that make use of a particular optical dose and photosensitizer amount. These parameters are independent of the patient and the lesion. In this work we present a Photodynamic Therapy model that tries to predict the effect of the treatment on the skin. First the results of a clinical study in the Dermatology Department of the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital are presented. The most common lesions and some unsuccessful cases are stated. The predictive model proposed is based on a 3D optical propagation of radiation by a Monte Carlo approach. Once the optical energy is obtained, a complex photochemical model is employed. This model takes into account the electronic transitions between molecular levels and particles concentrations. As the process of generation of photosensitizer is not homogeneous, the photosensitizer distribution is also taken into account. The optical power of the source, the exposition time and the optochemical characteristics of the tissue can be varied. This implies that these parameters could be adjusted to the particular pathology we are dealing with, so the unsuccessful cases could be better treated.