A new initiative has just launched in the UK with the goal of increasing awareness and support for the more widespread use of photodynamic therapy (PDT). Compared to surgery and chemotherapy, PDT is a relatively simple, quick and effective treatment for certain types of cancer that we have covered previously on this blog.
Killingcancer.co.uk is a fundraising initiative aiming to create both a groundswell of interest and a pool of funds to support the development and access to PDT in the UK, to make it more readily available through the National Health Service (NHS). Through a mix of celebrity endorsements and patient stories they build an informative and compelling case for their cause.
In Clinuvel’s search to demonstrate the effect of its drug to reduce symptoms caused by light in the visible and invisible spectrum, the team has started to carry out human trials in Photodynamic Therapy (PDT).
The major side effect of PDT is phototoxicity of the patient’s skin, which can even lead to second-degree burns if exposed to sunlight. The same light sensitive drug that helps destroy the tumour remains in the skin, and is able to be react to light for up to three months. This means that patients may potentially have to remain in the dark 90 days following treatment. This can create its own set of complications and side-effects, quite aside from being very restrictive of normal activities. It has the most serious impact on patients who have a limited life expectancy due to their cancer. Being restricted to indoor activities stands in the way of pursuing quality of life.
Through the photoprotection offered by treatment with afamelanotide we hope to improve the quality of life of recovering PDT patients and help them avoid damage to their skin and the consequences of phototoxicity.
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