Photodynamic Therapy and Fluorescence Diagnosis in Dermatology - Tapa blanda

Photodynamic therapy has been widely investigated over the past two decades and is emerging as a promising therapeutic modality for skin cancers and several inflammatory diseases. This growing interest is based on the availability of a new simple, effective and safe regimen using the topical application of a pro-drug, 5-aminolevulinic acid, as well as on the development of new "second generation" photosensitizers, namely 5-aminolevulinic acid-esters, phthalocyanines, chlorins, porphycenes and hypericin. In contrast to hematoporphyrin derivatives, these compounds are characterized by short-lasting generalized skin photosensitivity. These dyes are available for either topical or systemic delivery and are well characterized. The basic principles of PDT is more complex than chemotherapy or other pharmacological modalities. PDT involves not only a drug but an otherwise harmless compound that is activated by visible light. The interaction of these two treatment components is PDT. The variability of these both components results in a complexity of the treatment that may disorient the clinician who does not have specific experience in this field. This book aims to focus experimental and clinical findings on PDT in order to attract and direct the attention of a growing number of dermatologists.

Piergiacomo Calzavara-Pinton attended the Medical School in Milan, Italy, and completed his clinical Dermatology training at the Department of Dermatology I at the University of Milan. Since 1984 he has been a member of staff in the Department of Dermatology at the Spedali Civili of Brescia and, since 1998, has been the head of the Photobiology and Phototherapy Unit. His main fields of clinical research are phototherapy, photochemotherapy, photodynamic therapy and connective tissue diseases. He is also involved in clinical and experimental trials for the development of new"