BACKGROUND

What is Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)?

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Photodynamic therapy (PDT) serves as a promising technology for the treatment and diagnosis of various cancers such as non melanoma skin cancer, Barrett’s esophagus, and early-stage lung cancer to name a few. PDT treatment works by administering light in combination with a photosensitizing drug, which together, cause selective damage to cancerous tissue.

In comparison to current cancer treatment options like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, PDT presents several advantages; PDT is non-invasive, precisely targets cancerous tissue leading to faster healing with lower chances of scarring, and shows promise of anti-tumour immunity.

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THE PROBLEM

Why is PDT not part of the primary standard of care?

Despite the promising results and advantages over current cancer treatment methods, the therapeutic benefits of PDT are not widely known by the general public. Another possible barrier to PDT becoming standard treatment in the clinic is the lack of clinical trial participation.

As such, there is an opportunity to leverage animation as a tool that can visually communicate the complex inner workings of PDT across various health literacy backgrounds. The end goal is to increase clinical trial participation by promoting awareness of PDT as an existing cancer treatment to prospective clinical trial patients.

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