Investigating the effects of a temperature dependent photodynamic dose: A numerical study

Andrew Effat; Nicholas Bernards; Runjie Bill Shi; Gang Zheng; Brian C Wilson; Kazuhiro Yasufuku; Robert A Weersink

doi:10.1016/j.pdpdt.2023.103949

Investigating the effects of a temperature dependent photodynamic dose: A numerical study

Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther. 2024 Feb:45:103949. doi: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2023.103949. Epub 2023 Dec 29.

Authors

Andrew Effat¹, Nicholas Bernards², Runjie Bill Shi³, Gang Zheng⁴, Brian C Wilson⁵, Kazuhiro Yasufuku⁶, Robert A Weersink⁷

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Thoracic Surgery, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
² Division of Thoracic Surgery, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
³ Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
⁴ Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
⁵ Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
⁶ Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Thoracic Surgery, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
⁷ Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: Robert.Weersink@uhn.ca.

PMID: 38161039
DOI: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2023.103949

Abstract

Significance: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) show promise as cancer treatments, but challenges in generating large ablative volumes for deep-seated tumours persist. Using simulations, this study investigates combined PDT and PTT to increase treatment volumes, including the impact of a temperature-dependent PDT dose on the treatment volume radius.

Approach: A finite-element model, using the open-source SfePy package, was developed to simulate combined interstitial photothermal and photodynamic treatments. Results compared an additive dose model to a temperature-dependent dose model with enhanced PDT dosimetry and examined typical clinical scenarios for possible synergistic effects.

Results: Findings revealed that the temperature-dependent dose model could significantly expand the damage radius compared to the additive model, depending on the tissue and drug properties.

Conclusions: Characterizing synergistic effects of PDT and PTT could enhance treatment planning. Future work is ongoing to implement additional variables, such as photosensitizer photobleaching, and spatial and temporally varying oxygenation.

Keywords: Biophysical simulation; Cancer; Combination therapy; Finite element method; Photodynamic Therapy; Phototherapy; Photothermal Therapy.

MeSH terms

Humans
Neoplasms* / drug therapy
Photochemotherapy* / methods
Photosensitizing Agents / therapeutic use
Phototherapy / methods
Temperature

Substances

Photosensitizing Agents