Synergistic Effects of PDT and RT in Cancer Treatment: Innovations and Challenges

The field of cancer therapy continually seeks advancements to improve treatment efficacy while reducing side effects. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and radiotherapy (RT) have emerged as significant modalities in this effort, each utilizing oxidative stress to target cancer cells. PDT, a non-invasive technique involving the combination of a photosensitizer with light, offers treatment solutions for both malignant and non-malignant diseases with minimal adverse effects. RT, known for its high-dose radiation, effectively damages or kills cancer cells and is commonly employed either as a primary treatment or alongside surgery and chemotherapy. Despite their potential, the limitations and resistance mechanisms associated with traditional therapies present a challenge that necessitates a combined approach.

This Research Topic aims to explore the integration of PDT and RT to enhance cancer treatment outcomes. By combining these modalities, we hope to overcome existing resistance mechanisms and mitigate the side effects associated with RT. Specifically, we are interested in research that examines how PDT can be used non-invasively to complement RT, ultimately reducing the burden on healthy tissues and enhancing overall patient well-being.

To gather further insights in the combined application of PDT and RT, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Nanotheranostics in photodynamic therapy
- Clinical advances of photodynamic therapy and radiotherapy
- In vivo and in vitro studies on PDT and RT
- Exploration of radiotherapy side effects and mitigation strategies
- Case reports and theranostic developments
- Innovations in radiation protection
- Image-guided radiotherapy and photodynamic therapy


Please note: manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases which are not accompanied by validation (independent cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) are out of scope for this section and will not be accepted as part of this Research Topic.

Keywords: Photodynamic therapy, radiotherapy, nanomaterials, liposomes, photosensitizers, combination therapy

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.