Light-Based Therapeutic Strategies in Allergic and Obstructive Airway Diseases: Mechanisms, Dosimetry, and Clinical Translation

Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) sits between respiratory medicine, allergy and biophotonics. It is increasingly studied as a non-pharmacological way to modulate immune responses and reduce inflammation in chronic airway disease. Preclinical research shows that PBMT can suppress Th2-driven inflammation, reduce eosinophilic infiltration and limit airway remodelling. These findings suggest applications in asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), their overlapping forms, and allergic diseases of the upper airway such as allergic rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis. Despite this biological plausibility and consistent experimental results, clinical translation remains limited. Inconsistent dosimetry, the lack of consensus on treatment parameters and the scarcity of large clinical studies continue to hinder wider use.

This Research Topic aims to consolidate current knowledge and stimulate new research on how PBMT, and closely related light-based approaches, can be applied safely and effectively in allergic and obstructive airway diseases of the upper and lower airways. By bringing together basic, translational and clinical perspectives, the collection seeks to clarify the underlying photobiological mechanisms, identify therapeutic windows for optimal dose delivery, and evaluate physiological and clinical benefits in human subjects. We place particular emphasis on dose-response relationships, immune regulation pathways and combination strategies with conventional therapies.

Submissions should focus on light-based interventions and their mechanisms, dosimetry or clinical application, rather than on disease biomarkers, diagnostics or biologic therapy alone.

We welcome contributions that address, but are not limited to, the following themes:
- Mechanistic studies of immune and inflammatory modulation by PBMT in airway tissues, including effects on mast cells, eosinophils, epithelial barrier function and cytokine signalling
- Optimisation and standardisation of dosimetric parameters in preclinical and clinical settings
- Translational research on PBMT in asthma, COPD and overlapping phenotypes
- Studies of PBMT as an intervention in allergic rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis, including immune and mucosal mechanisms and dosing (excluding diagnostic or general management studies)
- Comparative or combination studies of PBMT with pharmacological, immunotherapy or rehabilitation strategies
- Development of clinical protocols, safety guidelines and outcome measures for PBMT applications
- Computational or imaging-based approaches to dose modelling and photonic tissue interaction analysis

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
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• ... 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
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Photobiomodulation therapy, PBMT, airway remodeling, allergy, airway remodelling, asthma, Light-Based Therapies

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.