Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
An experimental treatment using light-activated drugs to kill cancer cells, being studied as an addition to surgery.
Experimental TreatmentOverview
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses a photosensitizing drug that accumulates in cancer cells, which is then activated by a specific wavelength of light to produce toxic molecules that kill the cancer cells. It is being studied as an adjunct to surgery for mesothelioma.
Who May Be a Candidate
- Patients undergoing surgical resection
- Clinical trial participants
- Those with localized disease
- Good overall health
How It Works
A photosensitizing agent is given intravenously before surgery. During the operation, after tumor removal, the surgical site is exposed to specific wavelengths of light, activating the drug in any remaining cancer cells.
Procedure Steps
- Photosensitizer drug administered 24-48 hours before surgery
- Standard surgical tumor removal performed
- Light delivered to surgical cavity
- Activated drug produces cell-killing molecules
- Procedure completed and patient recovers
Benefits
- Targets microscopic residual disease after surgery
- Minimal damage to normal tissue
- May reduce local recurrence
- Can be combined with other treatments
Risks & Side Effects
- Skin sensitivity to light (days to weeks)
- Limited depth of light penetration
- Requires specialized equipment
- Available only at specialized centers
Recovery
Similar to standard surgery recovery. Patients must avoid direct sunlight and bright lights for several days to weeks due to skin photosensitivity.
Expected Outcomes
Early studies show PDT may improve local disease control when added to surgery. Larger trials are needed to confirm benefit. Currently available primarily through clinical trials.
Finding Treatment
This procedure is typically performed at specialized mesothelioma treatment centers with experienced surgical teams. Consulting with a mesothelioma specialist is the first step in determining if this treatment is appropriate for your situation.
Treatment Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new treatment for mesothelioma?
Immunotherapy combinations, including nivolumab plus ipilimumab (Opdivo and Yervoy), are approved as first-line treatments for unresectable pleural mesothelioma, with median survival of 18.1 months in trials. Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) combined with chemotherapy and pemetrexed also received approval in 2024, improving 3-year overall survival to 25% versus 17% with chemotherapy alone. Emerging therapies in trials include CAR T-cell therapy targeting mesothelin, enzyme therapy like ADI-PEG20 (which quadrupled 3-year survival when added to chemo), and cancer vaccines such as UV1. Over 80 active trials test these and other options like gene therapy and virotherapy.
Who should not have photodynamic therapy?
Photodynamic therapy is generally not used in people who are pregnant, people with porphyria, or people with a known allergy to the photosensitizing medicine or ingredients such as peanut oil. It is also avoided in people taking medicines or having conditions that make skin unusually light-sensitive, including some anti-arrhythmics, isotretinoin, methotrexate, lupus, and other photosensitivity disorders. Some sources also note that very dark or easily discolored skin, a history of severe reactions to light, or an inability to avoid light exposure after treatment can make PDT less suitable.
What actor died of mesothelioma?
Several actors died from mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure, including Steve McQueen (1930-1980), diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma in 1978 after possible exposure from military service and movie sets, dying at age 50. Paul Gleason (1939-2006), known for *The Breakfast Club*, developed pleural mesothelioma from teenage construction work and died three weeks after diagnosis at age 67. Ed Lauter (1938-2013), a character actor in over 200 films, was diagnosed in 2013, possibly from home renovations, and died months later at age 74.
How close are we to curing mesothelioma?
No cure exists for mesothelioma, as confirmed by the National Cancer Institute. Immunotherapy combinations like nivolumab plus ipilimumab, approved by the FDA as first-line treatment for unresectable pleural mesothelioma, have improved 3-year overall survival to 25% in trials compared to 17% with chemotherapy alone. Emerging therapies such as ADI-PEG 20 (pegargiminase) with chemotherapy extended survival 4 times longer at 3 years in a 2024 trial, while over 80 clinical trials test vaccines, gene therapy, and targeted approaches. These advances extend median survival beyond 18 months for many people with mesothelioma, but long-term remission remains unproven.