Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is increasingly used among health practitioners in combatting a variety of diseases, most notably various types of cancer, and is often utilised in combination with other therapeutic options to enhance efficacy or reduce adverse reactions. Combination Therapies Involving Photodynamic Therapy reviews the current state of development of PDT and presents the foreseeable advancements of combination approaches to therapeutic strategies. This book represents a novel approach to the therapeutic applications of five different technologies including the combinations of photodynamic therapy, photothermal hyperthermia therapy, magnetic hyperthermia therapy, chemotherapy, and cold atmospheric pressure plasma therapy. An ideal companion for students, researchers and practitioners in biological sciences, biotechnology, and photobiological and photochemical sciences, as well as medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry.

Combination Therapies Involving Photodynamic Therapy reviews the current state of development of PDT and presents the foreseeable advancements of combination approaches to therapeutic strategies.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is increasingly being used amongst health practitioners in combating a variety of diseases. This book reviews the current state of development of PDT, and also presents the foreseeable advancements of the field in the next decade. Practitioners in biological sciences, biotechnology and medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry will find this book an invaluable source of information. Chapters are drawn from research discussed at the 10th International Symposium on Photodynamic Therapy and Photodiagnosis in Clinical Practice in Brixen and are written and edited by leaders in the field. Mirroring the philosophy of that meeting, this book contains an informative balance of the basic science and clinical applications of PDT. Following an introduction to PDT, its history, and how techniques have developed, chapters serve as a practical guide for practitioners, covering topics such as sensitizer dosage and light dosage, and examples of relevant studies. The text goes further to explore areas outside the medical field, such as the impact of PDT on society and the environment, and the economics of therapies. This book is dedicated to the memory of Professor Giulio Jori, an expert in this field, who sadly passed away on the 23rd December 2014.

Bacterial biofilm is a complex structure with diverse bacterial cells in a highly organized and ordered group within a matrix of extracellular polymeric substances they produce. Microbes attach to surfaces to develop biofilms, a sophisticated process regulated by factors such as nutritional status and biotic/abiotic surface features. An established biofilm structure mainly comprises bacterial cells, proteins, nucleic acid, and exo-polysaccharides that are extracellular macromolecules excreted as tightly bound layers in microbes, providing a perfect niche for bacteria to exchange genetic material between cells. In addition, bacterial cells in the matrix also communicate via quorum sensing, which greatly impacts biofilm processes. Under clinical circumstances, bacterial biofilm shows great resistance to antibiotics, disinfectants, and body defense systems, making it difficult for clinicians to eradicate and facilitate many infectious disease processes, leading to chronic infections of patients with long-term hospitalization and high mortality rates. Therefore, it is very important to understand the recent advances in forming, regulating, and eradicating biofilms in human infections to better prevent, control, and treat biofilm infections in humans. Written by an international team of basic and clinical researchers, the chapters of this book provide novel insights and advanced knowledge for life science researchers, clinical researchers, doctors, and other interested readers on some of the latest developments in biofilms.

With today's focus on targeted and minimally invasive therapies, photodynamic therapy (PDT) is now being studied and used to combat many disease states and to investigate critical biological questions. This groundbreaking resource brings you the latest advances in photodynamic therapy and offers you a solid understanding of the design, delivery and dosimetry of the three basic ingredients of PDT - photosensitizers, light and oxygen. The book covers novel areas of mechanistic and innovative translational approaches. Moreover, it gives you an overview of the important medical applications of PDT, including approved treatments, clinical trials, and investigated therapies for cancer and non-malignant diseases.

The main objective of this book is to present the recent applications of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in treating cancer and other diseases. The limitations associated with current PDT agents, and the synthetic designs that have been used in various laboratories are also discussed. The utility of certain tumor-avid agent for cancer imaging (fluorescence, PET, MRI) is also summarized. The book also includes the use of delivery vehicles, including nanoparticles in improving the tumor-specificity of the desired agents. The book is basically focused on the translational approach of drug development. By providing certain specific examples, a clear concept of moving a 'product' from the bench to bed-side is also discussed.To have a clear concept of drug development the book is divided in three parts — Medicinal Chemistry, Mechanistic and Clinical studies. Each part includes the contributions from the leading scientists with extensive experience in the respective field. The handbook is assembled by renowned scientists Dr Dougherty, known as the father of PDT, Dr Kessel, well known for his contributions on mechanism of PDT and Dr Pandey for his inventions in developing improved agents for PDT and cancer-imaging.

A complete guide to the surgical techniques used to treat childhood skin conditions Recent advances have expanded the role of pediatric dermatologic surgery in both specialist and primary care settings. However, such surgeries can pose unique challenges to trainees and experienced practitioners alike. Procedures are carried out under local anesthesia and can be a source of distress and concern among young patients. Moreover, child’s skin poses its own set of complicating factors, making the business of performing these procedures especially delicate and precise. This book provides a step-by-step primer on invasive and non-invasive treatments of childhood skin disorders, offering concise and clearly illustrated guidance on current methods and best practices. Addressing conditions’ effects, the impact of recent developments in their treatment, the ethics of operative procedures on children, and multiple treatment options for childhood dermatologic disease, Pediatric Dermatologic Surgery is an indispensable resource for trainee dermatologists and pediatricians, as well as practicing specialists.

Covering all aspects of photodynamic therapy, 70 expert contributors from the fields of photochemistry, photobiology, photophysics, pharmacology, oncology and surgery, provide multidisciplinary discussions on photodynamic therapy - a rapidly-developing approach to the treatment of solid tumours.;Photodynamic Therapy: Basic Principles and Clinical Applications describes the molecular and cellular effects of photodynamic treatment; elucidates the complex events leading to photodynamics tissue destruction, particularly vascular and inflammatory responses; discusses the principles of light penetration through tissues and optical dosimetry; examines photosensitizer pharmacology and delivery systems; reviews in detail photosensitizer structure-activity relationships; illustrates novel devices that aid light dosimetry and fluorescence detection; and extensively delineates clinical applications, including early diagnosis and treatment.;A comprehensive and up-to-date reference, this book should be useful for oncologists, pharmacologists, surgeons, photobiologists, optical engineers, laser technicians, biologists, physicists, chemists and biochemists involved in cancer research, as well as graduate-level students in these disciplines.