Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40430852›Full record

ReviewPharmaceutics2025

Breaking the Resistance: Photodynamic Therapy in Cancer Stem Cell-Driven Tumorigenesis.

Sheeja S Rajan, J P Jose Merlin, Heidi Abrahamse

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Pharmaceutics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
  3. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Sheeja S RajanLaser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein, P.O. Box 17011, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa.ORCID 0000-0003-0793-4300
J P Jose MerlinLaser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein, P.O. Box 17011, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa.
Heidi AbrahamseLaser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein, P.O. Box 17011, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa.ORCID 0000-0001-5002-827X

Funding

South African Research Chairs Initiative 98337
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are essential for the growth of malignancies because they encourage resistance to cancer therapy and make metastasis and relapse easier. To effectively tackle the obstacles presented by CSCs, novel therapeutic approaches are required. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising treatment option for cancer cells, which uses light-sensitive medications that are activated by light wavelengths. This review investigates the use of PDT to overcome malignancies driven by CSCs that have innate resistance mechanisms. PDT works by causing tumor cells to accumulate photosensitizers (PSs) selectively. The reactive oxygen species (ROS), which kill cells, are released by these PSs when they are stimulated by light. According to recent developments in PDT, its efficacy may go beyond traditional tumor cells, providing a viable remedy for the resistance shown by CSCs. Researchers want to improve the targeted elimination and selective targeting of CSCs by combining PDT with new PSs and customized delivery systems. Studies emphasize how PDT affects CSCs as well as bulk tumor cells. According to studies, PDT not only limits CSC growth but also modifies their microenvironment, which lowers the possibility of recovery. Additionally, studies are being conducted on the utilization of PDT and immunotherapeutic techniques to improve treatment efficacy and overcome inherent resistance of CSCs. In conclusion, PDT is a viable strategy for treating carcinogenesis driven by CSCs. By applying the most recent advancements in PDT technologies and recognizing how it interacts with CSCs, this treatment has the potential to surpass traditional resistance mechanisms and improve the future of cancer patients. Clinical and preclinical studies highlight that combining PDT with CSC-targeted approaches has the potential to overcome current therapy limitations. Future efforts should focus on clinical validation, optimizing light delivery and PS use, and developing effective combination strategies to target CSCs.

Indexed as

cancercancer stem cellsphotodynamic therapyphotosensitizersreactive oxygen species

Identifiers

PMID40430852
PMCPMC12115314

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.