Use of dermograph for improvement of PpIX precursor's delivery in photodynamic therapy: Experimental and clinical pilot studies.

Background: Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a treatment for non-melanoma skin cancer. One of the main challenges of topical PDT is to increase the precursor penetration when applied on the lesion. Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) is an endogenous photosensitizer (PS) widely used, obtained by the administration of precursors such as aminolevulinic acid and methyl aminolevulinate.

Energy analysis of PDT using thermography during the treatment of basal cell carcinoma.

The changes in tissue temperature of basal cell carcinoma lesions were investigated during photodynamic therapy in order to better understand the effects and mechanisms of PDT in tissue. In this study, the monitoring of 40 lesions of basal cell carcinoma was performed during photodynamic therapy. The lesion region becomes thermally evident throughout the procedure, and there is an improved contrast of the lesion edges after the end of the irradiation.