Advanced Delivery Systems and Targeting Strategies in Photodynamic Therapy for Cancer Treatment

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a promising minimally invasive treatment modality in cancer therapy, combining photosensitizers, light, and oxygen to generate cytotoxic reactive oxygen species. Despite its proven efficacy, the clinical translation of PDT faces several challenges, including poor solubility of photosensitizers, nonspecific distribution, and limited tumor penetration. Traditional photosensitizer delivery methods often result in suboptimal biodistribution, poor pharmacokinetics, and potential damage to healthy tissues. Recent advances in nanotechnology and targeting strategies have opened new possibilities for enhancing PDT efficacy through improved delivery systems and active targeting approaches. The development of sophisticated nanocarriers, including liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, and hybrid systems, has demonstrated potential in overcoming these limitations. Additionally, the integration of active targeting moieties has shown promise in enhancing tumor specificity and cellular uptake, leading to improved therapeutic outcomes while minimizing side effects in cancer treatment.

This Research Topic aims to explore and advance the development of novel delivery systems and targeting strategies for PDT in cancer treatment. The focus will be on innovative approaches that enhance photosensitizer delivery, improve tumor specificity, and increase therapeutic efficiency. We seek to address critical challenges in PDT delivery, including optimization of nanocarrier designs, development of smart delivery systems responsive to tumor microenvironment, and integration of active targeting moieties. Recent advances in areas such as stimulus-responsive nanoplatforms, tumor-specific targeting ligands, and multimodal therapy combinations will be explored to establish more effective PDT approaches. Particular emphasis will be placed on understanding the relationship between delivery system properties and therapeutic outcomes, including aspects such as particle size, surface chemistry, and targeting efficiency. The development of novel targeting strategies, including the use of antibodies, peptides, aptamers, and small molecules, will be investigated to enhance tumor-specific accumulation and cellular internalization of photosensitizers. Additionally, the potential of smart delivery systems that respond to specific tumor microenvironment signals or external stimuli will be explored to achieve controlled and site-specific photosensitizer release. The ultimate goal is to bridge the gap between laboratory developments and clinical applications in targeted PDT delivery systems, focusing on translational aspects and practical considerations for clinical implementation.

We welcome original research articles, reviews, and perspectives addressing various aspects of PDT delivery systems and targeting strategies. Specific areas of interest include:

• Novel nanocarrier designs for photosensitizer delivery

• Active targeting strategies using antibodies, peptides, and small molecules

• Stimulus-responsive delivery systems for controlled photosensitizer release

• Multimodal platforms combining PDT with other treatment modalities

• Preclinical and clinical studies of targeted PDT systems

• Characterization and optimization of delivery system properties

• Translation challenges and solutions for targeted PDT platforms



Please note that manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public omics databases that are not supplemented by relevant functional validation (clinical cohort or biological validation, in vitro or in vivo) are out of scope for this Research Topic.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Photodynamic Therapy, Targeted Drug Delivery, Nanocarriers, Active Targeting, Cancer Treatment, Photosensitizers, Stimulus-Responsive Systems, Therapeutic Efficiency

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.