Photodynamic Therapy in Pigmented Basal Cell Carcinoma—A Review

Abstract

This review summarizes the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of the pigmented subtype of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) based on the current literature. PDT is a light-activated treatment, non-invasive, that selectively destroys tumor cells and tissues via the interaction of a photosensitizer, light, and molecular oxygen. It can induce cancer cell death through direct tumor vascular damage or via the induction of immune response. However, human skin is also an absorption and scattering medium since it contains hemoglobin and melanin that act as chromophores. Eumelanin can be considered a light-absorber and an intracellular antioxidant that can neutralize PDT-induced ROS and, therefore, decrease PDT success. Various factors, including tumor depth, the degree of pigmentation in malignant cells, and the individual’s skin phototype, can impact the outcome of this intricate biochemical process. It has been widely recognized that PDT exhibits limited efficacy in the treatment of pigmented lesions. However, new combination techniques such as curettage or debulking before PDT show promising results in the treatment of pigmented BCC.