Expected role of photodynamic therapy to relieve skin damage in nuclear or radiological emergency: Review

Environ Toxicol Pharmacol. 2024 Sep:110:104517. doi: 10.1016/j.etap.2024.104517. Epub 2024 Jul 19.

Abstract

Nuclear and radiological accidents can occur due to poor management, in transportation, radiation therapy and nuclear wards in hospitals, leading to extreme radiation exposure and serious consequences for human health. Additionally, in many of previous radiological accidents, skin damage was observed in patients and survivors due to the high radiation exposure. However, as part of a medical countermeasures in a nuclear/radiological emergency, it is critical to plan for the treatment of radiation-induced skin damage. Hence, the new, non-invasive technology of photodynamic therapy (PDT) is projected to be more effectively used for treating skin damage caused by high-dose radiation. PDT plays an important role in treating, repairing skin damage and promoting wound healing as evidenced by research. This review, highlighted and recommended potential impacts of PDT to repair and decrease radiation-induced skin tissue damage. Moreover, we have suggested some photosensitizer (PS) agent as radio-mitigator drugs to decrease radiobiological effects.

Keywords: Cutaneous damage; Nuclear and radiological accident; Photodynamic therapy; Photosensitizer agents; Radio-mitigator drugs; Skin repair.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Photochemotherapy*
  • Photosensitizing Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Radiation Injuries / drug therapy
  • Radioactive Hazard Release*
  • Skin* / drug effects
  • Skin* / pathology
  • Skin* / radiation effects

Substances

  • Photosensitizing Agents