Fluorescence and thermal imaging of the skin during PDT
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Fluorescence and thermal imaging of the skin during PDT
IRAS ID
214238
Contact name
Sally Ibbotson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Tayside
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 28 days
Research summary
Summary of Research
The research intends to study the link (if any) between the temperature of the skin and the uptake of PpIX (a photosensitiser) during photodynamic therapy (PDT). It is thought that higher temperatures will increase the PpIX uptake in tissue in-vivo, and therefore lead to a higher clinical efficacy. We will use a fluorescence camera and a thermal camera to take measurements of patients skin during PDT to study this hypothesis.
Summary of Results
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is used to treat some types of sun-damaged skin and low-grade forms of skin cancer. A cream is applied to the skin, and the chemical in this cream is absorbed in to the skin and converted in to a 'photosensitiser'. This photosensitiser is fluorescent, meaning that it produces red light when blue light is shone on it. By measuring how much light is given off with a camera, the investigators can determine how much photosensitiser is present in the skin. Also, it is thought that more of the chemical is converted to the active photosensitiser if the skin is warmer, so the investigators planned to also measure the temperature of the skin using a thermal camera. During PDT, light is shone on to the skin and this activates the photosensitiser, treating the problem area and leaving healthy skin intact. This study recruited 18 patients with sun damage or low grade skin cancer who were referred for PDT for their conditions. Fluorescence of the photosensitiser after application of the PDT cream and skin temperature were measured at intervals during the PDT treatments by using fluorescence and thermal camera imaging and side effects and outcomes of PDT treatment were documented. The investigators confirmed that there was an association between the skin temperature and the amount of skin fluorescence that was produced. They also showed that fluorescence and temperature were higher on the trunk but that the discomfort of PDT was higher on the lower legs and that 80% of the treated skin lesions were clear at one year follow up. The study showed that PDT is an effective treatment for these conditions and the increased understanding of the factors that influence the fluorescence seen during PDT and the processes involved, may help to improve PDT treatment regimes to make them more effective and better tolerated in the future.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 4
REC reference
17/WS/0055
Date of REC Opinion
12 Apr 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion