Photodynamic Therapy for Breast Cancer and the Translational Potential of Quantum Dots

Vollständiger Abstract

Worum geht es in dieser Arbeit?

Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of female mortality worldwide, requiring more selective and less invasive therapeutic approaches. This study aimed to analyze the clinical landscape of Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) in breast cancer and discuss the translational potential of Quantum Dots (QDs) as photosensitive platforms. The methodology consisted of a documentary and exploratory analysis of secondary data from five interventional human studies registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, focusing on phases I and II, complemented by public SISCAN/DATASUS records for 2020–2025 and a narrative review of recent preclinical literature on QDs and PDT. The clinical records indicate initial evidence of feasibility, tolerability, and local antitumor activity in selected breast cancer settings, particularly with verteporfin; however, the studies were early-phase, small, and heterogeneous. No human clinical protocol directly combining QDs and PDT was identified. A phase I QD study (NCT04138342) was identified as an independent QD clinical protocol, but no results were posted in the registry. SISCAN records fluctuated during 2020–2025, with a peak in 2022; the 2025 value should be interpreted cautiously because the database was not fully consolidated at the time of extraction. Overall, QDs show translational potential for bioimaging, targeted delivery, and photosensitization, but clinical integration with PDT remains predominantly preclinical and requires further evaluation of toxicity, biodistribution, stability, pharmacokinetics, optical dosimetry, and safety.