Photodynamic Therapy: Basic Principles and Clinical Applications

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.