Globally, breast cancer is the most common life-threatening malignant disease among women. Adjuvant chemotherapeutic treatment of anthracycline-based chemotherapy (e.g., doxorubicin) has been shown to be more advantageous over non-anthracycline-based therapies, yet possess the tenacity of developing resistance and potential side effects which have limited its use in the clinical setting. These reasons necessitate combining doxorubicin with emerging photodynamic treatment regimens. Areas covered: In this review, the authors have concisely explained doxorubicin chemotherapy and the photobiological processes of phthalocyanine triggered photodynamic therapy (PDT). A literature search was conducted and reports demonstrating the use of doxorubicin and photodynamic therapy as a treatment modality for breast cancer were identified. More emphasis was made on studies demonstrating the efficacy and improved anticancer effect of combining chemotherapy with photodynamic therapy. However, it was concluded that for this combination therapy, still in it's infancy, it could be relevant when integrated into standard treatment. Expert Commentary: To these effects, comprehensive models based on experimental evaluations are needed for rational design of anthracycline-based chemotherapy and PDT to be integrated into the clinical setting.
Keywords: Breast cancer; chemotherapy; doxorubicin; photodynamic therapy; phthalocyanine.