Photodynamic therapy and nanomedicine: current knowledge, limitations, and applications in oral squamous cell carcinoma: a narrative review

Oral squamous cell carcinoma is still a global health issue, even if oral cavity is an easily accessible anatomical site, the diagnosis is still delayed. Conventional treatments, like chemotherapy and radiotherapy, are usually employed, but not without complications. These drawbacks have necessitate...

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Main Authors: Fariba Esperouz, Mauro Lorusso, Andrea Santarelli, Alfredo De Lillo, Lorenzo Lo Muzio, Domenico Ciavarella, Lucio Lo Russo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Oncology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1619560/full
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author Fariba Esperouz
Mauro Lorusso
Andrea Santarelli
Alfredo De Lillo
Lorenzo Lo Muzio
Domenico Ciavarella
Lucio Lo Russo
author_facet Fariba Esperouz
Mauro Lorusso
Andrea Santarelli
Alfredo De Lillo
Lorenzo Lo Muzio
Domenico Ciavarella
Lucio Lo Russo
author_sort Fariba Esperouz
collection DOAJ
description Oral squamous cell carcinoma is still a global health issue, even if oral cavity is an easily accessible anatomical site, the diagnosis is still delayed. Conventional treatments, like chemotherapy and radiotherapy, are usually employed, but not without complications. These drawbacks have necessitated the need for new therapies, one of these is photodynamic therapy (PDT). Nanotechnologies-enhanced PDT has significantly improved tumor targeting, bioavailability, and light absorption, paving the way for its application in early-stage of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and as part of combination therapies for advanced cases. Despite the potential advantages of PDT, such as tumor selectivity, minimization of systemic side effects and repeatability of treatment, some limitations still restrict its clinical application. Despite these challenges, its application in oral squamous cell carcinoma and oral potentially malignant disease is promising, both alone or in combination with other therapies. Addressing such pros and cons of this technique, PDT may then be a possible adjuvant tool in the management of OSCC.
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publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Oncology
spelling doaj-art-cc3367da2b78482eaaa9d56b85508c9a2025-08-20T03:45:34ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2025-06-011510.3389/fonc.2025.16195601619560Photodynamic therapy and nanomedicine: current knowledge, limitations, and applications in oral squamous cell carcinoma: a narrative reviewFariba Esperouz0Mauro Lorusso1Andrea Santarelli2Alfredo De Lillo3Lorenzo Lo Muzio4Domenico Ciavarella5Lucio Lo Russo6Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, ItalyDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, ItalyDepartment of Clinic Specialistic and Stomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, ItalyDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, ItalyDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, ItalyDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, ItalyDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, ItalyOral squamous cell carcinoma is still a global health issue, even if oral cavity is an easily accessible anatomical site, the diagnosis is still delayed. Conventional treatments, like chemotherapy and radiotherapy, are usually employed, but not without complications. These drawbacks have necessitated the need for new therapies, one of these is photodynamic therapy (PDT). Nanotechnologies-enhanced PDT has significantly improved tumor targeting, bioavailability, and light absorption, paving the way for its application in early-stage of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and as part of combination therapies for advanced cases. Despite the potential advantages of PDT, such as tumor selectivity, minimization of systemic side effects and repeatability of treatment, some limitations still restrict its clinical application. Despite these challenges, its application in oral squamous cell carcinoma and oral potentially malignant disease is promising, both alone or in combination with other therapies. Addressing such pros and cons of this technique, PDT may then be a possible adjuvant tool in the management of OSCC.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1619560/fullnanomedicinephotodynamic therapyoral squamous cell carcinomacancer therapyhead and neck
spellingShingle Fariba Esperouz
Mauro Lorusso
Andrea Santarelli
Alfredo De Lillo
Lorenzo Lo Muzio
Domenico Ciavarella
Lucio Lo Russo
Photodynamic therapy and nanomedicine: current knowledge, limitations, and applications in oral squamous cell carcinoma: a narrative review
Frontiers in Oncology
nanomedicine
photodynamic therapy
oral squamous cell carcinoma
cancer therapy
head and neck
title Photodynamic therapy and nanomedicine: current knowledge, limitations, and applications in oral squamous cell carcinoma: a narrative review
title_full Photodynamic therapy and nanomedicine: current knowledge, limitations, and applications in oral squamous cell carcinoma: a narrative review
title_fullStr Photodynamic therapy and nanomedicine: current knowledge, limitations, and applications in oral squamous cell carcinoma: a narrative review
title_full_unstemmed Photodynamic therapy and nanomedicine: current knowledge, limitations, and applications in oral squamous cell carcinoma: a narrative review
title_short Photodynamic therapy and nanomedicine: current knowledge, limitations, and applications in oral squamous cell carcinoma: a narrative review
title_sort photodynamic therapy and nanomedicine current knowledge limitations and applications in oral squamous cell carcinoma a narrative review
topic nanomedicine
photodynamic therapy
oral squamous cell carcinoma
cancer therapy
head and neck
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1619560/full
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