Light-Based Ablative Therapies (LBAT) – Lighting up the dark corners of malignant micro-environment

Abstract

Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT) and Light-Induced Therapies (LIT) comprising Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) and Photothermal Therapy (PTT) represent a paradigm shift in minimally invasive interventional oncology and neurology. LITT utilizes MRI-compatible laser probes to deliver precise thermal energy, primarily for deep-seated intracranial lesions and musculoskeletal pathologies. In contrast, LIT leverages the interaction between specific wavelengths of light and photosensitizing agents to induce localized cytotoxicity via reactive oxygen species (ROS) or hyperthermia. This article explores the physics of laser-tissue interaction, chemical pathways of phototoxicity, current clinical applications in neuro-oncology and joint therapy, and the future role of nanoparticle-mediated theranostics.

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