Photoangioplasty: New applications of photodynamic therapy in atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis has traditionally held appeal as a pathologic entity in which photodynamic therapy might arrest or reverse the manifestations of disease. Earlier attempts to bring photodynamic therapy to the human clinical arena were hampered by the limitations of the photosensitizers under investigation, including the propensity to phototoxic manifestations and light-induced trauma to surrounding, normal vascular tissues. Many of these inherent limitations may be circumvented by newer photosensitizers that are activated at longer, more optimal wavelengths of light energy. Advances in fiberoptic catheter design for the endovascular delivery of light have also contributed to the greater applicability of photodynamic therapy to human atherosclerosis. Initial experiences with one family of photosensitizers, the texaphyrins, indicate that photodynamic therapy of human peripheral arterial atherosclerosis is feasible, safe, and well-tolerated. Photodynamic therapy of atherosclerosis holds promise for the treatment of de novo atherosclerosis and may have future applicability in the treatment, and perhaps prevention, of restenosis.