Since the advent of antibiotics, biophotonic therapy has fallen out of fashion; however, with an increase in immune-related illnesses like fibromyalgia and HIV/AIDS, its popularity is beginning to revive.
This Research Topic showcases cutting-edge innovations in biophotonics that are revolutionizing cancer theranostics, such as optical tweezers for phenotyping cancer cells and tissues.
Ultraviolet Light Therapy
Ultraviolet Light Therapy (ULLT) is a cancer treatment using UV light that employs ultraviolet (UV) rays to destroy cancerous skin cells, and has also been found effective against symptoms associated with rosacea such as flushing and redness in the face. ULLT may also reduce symptoms related to rosacea such as flushing.
Under ultraviolet light light therapy (ULLT), you are exposed to UV light for a set period. Treatment sessions may need to take place multiple times weekly. Treatment can either take place in a clinic or be administered using various home devices available on the market; always consult your physician prior to using these at home devices and avoid sunbathing while receiving treatments from an ULLT device.
Photopheresis is another method for receiving UV light directly through the skin, typically as outpatient at a hospital. Your doctors and nurses will determine how long you’ll need to be there; goggles must also be worn to protect eyes from UV rays.
With this treatment, a special drug known as psoralen is given to you that makes your immune system more sensitive to UV light rays. Taken either orally or intravenously before having treatment with UVA light is called “PUVA treatment,” with multiple sessions taking place two or three times weekly for several weeks.
Narrow band UVB treatments offer similar relief. This form of ultraviolet B light is less dangerous as it only uses specific wavelengths from its spectrum; thus enabling it to reach specific parts of your skin more safely than before; such as folds. NbUVB may even help treat CTCL lymphomas which affect skin folds directly.
Scientists are exploring biophotonic technology as a means of detecting and treating cancerous cells during organ transplants. For instance, researchers used photons to examine lung tissue that had been donated as part of an organ donation campaign and discovered that biophotonics reduced virus and bacteria count which increased success of operation.
Biphotonic Blood Therapy
Biophotonic therapy, often combined with Ozone therapy, involves drawing blood and passing it through a device that exposes it to certain wavelengths of ultraviolet rays. This exposes bacteria in your blood to five times more energy, killing them while simultaneously activating your natural immune system to produce antibodies which attack any remaining infections and may even break down antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria or viruses.
UV light not only provides antibacterial benefits, but can also reactivate and improve oxygenation of the blood. This is especially beneficial when it comes to treating autoimmune conditions as many have infections at their core which lead to poor oxygenation of organs and blood. Without functioning optimally, your immune system cannot effectively fight infections thus prompting autoimmune responses triggering autoimmune responses in your body.
Ultraviolet blood irradiation (UBI) has been proven to significantly enhance oxygenation and strengthen immunity, as well as being used for decades both in Europe and America to treat bacterial infections, autoimmune disorders and even cancer. One study discovered UBI to be particularly useful at treating sepsis as well as blood-borne infections such as HIV/AIDS/Hepatitis C.
Brazil-based research team have devised a new technique using UV irradiation to decontaminate organs being donated for transplant. This biophotonic approach reduces hospital time for patients while increasing lung transplant success rates, according to thoracic surgeon Marcelo Cypel. Cypel emphasizes its significance due to rising infection rates among organ donations for transplant.
Cypel has joined forces with researchers at Vanderlei Bagnato’s IFSC-USP laboratory to create instruments and refine processes so that viral and bacterial loads in organs to be transplanted can be eliminated using light alone – potentially bypassing perfusion and using directly for transplantation, increasing chances of success while improving patient recovery after surgery.
Photodynamic Therapy
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is an innovative light-based method for the destruction of cells and tissues that involves administering a photosensitizer followed by exposure to light sources that produce reactive oxygen species that lead to cell death. PDT is noninvasive, drug-free solution used widely across medical fields such as dermatology, urology, ophthalmology, pneumology dentistry and immunology.
As part of this procedure, a topical photosensitizer that contains aminolevulinic acid (ALA) will first be applied topically before being exposed to either blue or red light sources that activates it and targets precancerous cells for destruction by your immune system – making this treatment particularly successful against skin cancer and precancerous lesions.
Massage can also be an effective tool in treating other conditions, including hair growth disorders and severe acne. Furthermore, it may assist in treating rosacea, vascular lesions, inflammatory skin conditions and chronic skin diseases.
PDT stands out as an advantageous treatment method due to its minimal risk of side effects; as it only targets the area injected. However, multiple sessions may be needed; your physician will monitor your condition closely and adjust treatments as necessary for maximum efficacy.
At each PDT session, your doctor will conduct blood tests and X-rays to monitor for potential reactions to treatment. Although some discomfort is expected during sessions – including sensations ranging from burning sensations to stabbing pains – if anything becomes bothersome your physician will provide various comfort measures like fans and ice packs to soothe you during treatment.
An implantable biophotonic device designed to wirelessly deliver photodynamic therapy (PDT) following osteosarcoma surgery is created. This implantable device’s primary aim is to eliminate postoperative infections due to antibiotic failure following osteosarcoma surgery – which often leads to prolonged hospital stays and mortality as a result of prolonged hospital stay or antibiotic failure. Furthermore, its design overcomes tissue penetration depth deficiencies associated with conventional optoelectronic devices, enabling energy transmission inside deep lesions while suppressing bacteria growth and inflammation effectively.
Photopheresis
Photopheresis is an ultraviolet light therapy that uses your immune cells to change them and strengthen your defenses against cancer cells, bacteria and viruses. Furthermore, photopheresis may protect you against developing graft-versus-host disease post-bone marrow transplant.
Photodynamic therapy utilizes an injectable medication called photosensitizer which reacts with oxygen molecules present in viruses or bacteria the patient carries, thus killing off these infections. Subsequently, red light irradiation at 660 nanometers decontaminates organ transplanted organs while breaking down molecules in bacteria while eliminating viral genetic material like Hepatitis C and HIV viruses.
Photopheresis involves having your child’s doctor use a large needle to extract blood from one arm, insert a catheter into another vein, and use special machinery that separates out their white blood cells before treating them with special medicine and exposing them to ultraviolet light; once treated cells have returned back into their bodies the remainder of the blood will return via another arm vein.
As photopheresis medications have an extremely short shelf-life, your child’s doctor may need to repeat the procedure several times within two weeks. You could experience photopheresis several times each week during this period.
After receiving treatment, your child should avoid direct sunlight for 24 hours because exposure will make them sensitive to light. UVA and UVB rays from the sun can damage skin; to safeguard it against their damaging effects it’s best to wear protective clothing, hats and sunscreen.
Recent results of a recent study indicate that photopheresis may help ease symptoms associated with rosacea. According to researchers, photopheresis improved most signs and symptoms associated with rosacea such as facial flushing and redness; moreover, participants seemed comfortable with receiving treatment in terms of tolerated reactions and tolerability.
