Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is rapidly emerging as a transformative cancer treatment modality, with the global market expected to surpass $6 billion by 2030, according to new research from Kuick Research. This non-surgical, highly selective treatment approach utilizes light-activated therapeutics to kill cancer cells while preserving normal tissue, offering a compelling alternative to conventional therapies that often cause significant side effects.
Technological Advances Drive Market Growth
The PDT landscape is undergoing significant transformation through ongoing innovation in both photosensitizers and light delivery systems. Sun Pharmaceutical achieved a major milestone in May 2025 with the FDA clearance of its BLU-U Blue Light PDT Illuminator, representing a new generation of treatment devices. This LED-based system replaces traditional fluorescent tube systems with energy-efficient LED panels, providing enhanced patient comfort and portability while maintaining clinical effectiveness when used with LEVULAN KERASTICK for treating actinic keratoses.
Biofrontera has also made substantial progress in dermatologic oncology applications. In January 2025, the company successfully completed one-year follow-up data from its Phase 3 study evaluating Ameluz® combined with the RhodoLED lamp for treating superficial basal cell carcinoma. The study demonstrated statistically significant outcomes, positioning Biofrontera for regulatory filing to expand treatment indications. Additionally, the company secured patent protection through December 2043 for its Ameluz nanoemulsion gel formulation free from propylene glycol, enhancing both product safety and competitive market positioning.
Clinical Evidence Supports Varied Efficacy Across Cancer Types
A comprehensive umbrella review analyzing 18 publications covering eight cancer types provides crucial insights into PDT's clinical effectiveness. The analysis, encompassing 124 associations from paired meta-analyses and 34 associations from single-arm meta-analyses, reveals that PDT efficacy varies significantly across different malignancies.
For cholangiocarcinoma, the evidence demonstrates that PDT combined with biliary stenting significantly improves overall survival compared to stenting alone, with a hazard ratio of 0.49 (95% CI 0.33-0.73), potentially extending survival by approximately 250 days. The combination of PDT with chemotherapy further enhances outcomes without increasing adverse events such as cholangitis, abscess, or photosensitivity reactions.
Skin Cancer Applications Show Mixed Results
In non-melanoma skin cancers, PDT presents a complex efficacy profile. For basal cell carcinoma, while PDT demonstrates superior cosmetic outcomes compared to surgery and cryotherapy, it shows higher recurrence rates than surgical excision. The analysis revealed that PDT results in 1.82-fold higher 1-year recurrence rates (RR 1.82, 95% CI 1.52-2.18) and 1.95-fold higher 2-year recurrence rates (RR 1.95, 95% CI 1.38-2.75) compared to surgery.
However, PDT's cosmetic advantages are substantial, with methyl aminolevulinate (MAL)-PDT achieving 3.46-fold better cosmetic outcomes than cryotherapy in squamous cell carcinoma (RR 3.46, 95% CI 1.55-7.73) and maintaining 2.90- to 3.99-fold superiority over both cryotherapy and surgery in basal cell carcinoma management.
Laser-assisted PDT shows particular promise, demonstrating superior complete response rates compared to conventional PDT (RR 2.75, 95% CI 2.19-3.45) in squamous cell carcinoma without increasing adverse events.
Emerging Applications and Combination Therapies
Beyond dermatology, PDT is demonstrating potential in treating more advanced internal cancers. Emerging photosensitizers like padeliporfin in vascular-targeted PDT are being evaluated for intermediate-risk prostate cancer and locally advanced pancreatic cancer. These agents specifically target tumor vasculature with high precision, enabling treatment of cancers that are conventionally difficult to reach or resistant to chemotherapy and surgery.
Single-arm meta-analyses reveal varying efficacy across different cancer types. For prostate cancer, patients receiving PDT achieved a 55% biopsy-negative rate, 36% prostate-specific antigen decrease rate, and 77% failure-free survival rate. In non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, therapeutic PDT was associated with 1- and 2-year recurrence-free rates of 72% and 36%, respectively.
Nanotechnology and Future Innovations
Nanotechnology plays a central role in PDT's evolution, with scientists developing multifunctional nanoplatforms that integrate targeting, imaging, and therapy functions. These platforms can deliver photosensitizers directly to cancer cells via receptor-targeted pathways, significantly enhancing treatment specificity while reducing side effects. Nanoparticles coated with monoclonal antibodies enable targeted delivery of photosensitizers to cancer cells, inducing localized cytotoxicity upon light activation while avoiding damage to healthy tissue.
The integration of PDT with immunotherapy represents another compelling development avenue. Since PDT causes immunogenic cell death, it can activate the immune system by releasing tumor antigens to trigger systemic immune responses, making it an ideal complement to immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Safety Profile and Clinical Considerations
PDT is generally well-tolerated, with side effects typically less severe than those from traditional treatments. Common adverse effects include local erythema, edema, and pain at the treatment site, which usually resolve within days to weeks. The analysis showed that MAL-PDT was associated with slightly more frequent adverse events compared to other therapies (RR 1.47, 95% CI 1.02-2.11) in basal cell carcinoma, though photosensitivity remains a significant concern requiring strict light protection measures.
Market Outlook and Clinical Translation
The momentum in PDT development reflects a broader movement toward personalized, minimally invasive cancer treatment. With over 60 registered clinical trials currently evaluating PDT efficacy across various cancer types, the field is positioned for continued growth. Technological advances in light delivery, including wearable and flexible systems, are facilitating wider adoption, particularly for repeat or chronic skin cancers.
As clinical trials progress and regulatory milestones are achieved, photodynamic therapy is poised to increase its presence in oncology. The advancing capabilities of PDT, ranging from superficial skin lesions to complex intra-abdominal tumors, herald an era when light-based therapy becomes an established component of integrated cancer care globally.
