Combination of photodynamic therapy and immunomodulation: current status and future trends.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been used for the treatment of nonmalignant and malignant diseases from head to toe. Over the last decade its clinical application has gained increasing acceptance around the world. Pre-clinical studies demonstrate that, in addition to the direct local cytotoxicity and vascular effects, PDT can induce various host immune responses. Recent clinical data also show that improved clinical outcomes are obtained through the combination of PDT and immunomodulation. This review will summarize and discuss recent progress in developing innovative regimen of PDT combined with immunomodulation for the treatment of both nonmalignant and malignant diseases. (c) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.