THE BIOLOGY OF PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY

The subcellular, cellular and tissue/tumour interactions with non-toxi c photosensitizing chemicals plus non-thermal visible light (photodyna mic therapy (PDT)) are reviewed. The extent to which endothelium/vascu lature is the primary target is discussed, and the biochemical opportu nities for manipulating outcome highlighted. The nature of tumour dest ruction by PDT lends itself to imaging outcome by MRI and PET.