A study into the use of Photodynamic Therapy
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A study into practitioner use of Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) and evaluating patient perception of PDT used in pre-malignant skin lesions and non-melanoma skin cancer
IRAS ID
234883
Contact name
Iain Jack
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Ulster University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 8 days
Research summary
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) involves the combination of visible light at a particular wavelength and a photosensitising agent. It can be used for the treatment of Non-melanoma Skin Cancers (NMSCs), one of the most common types of cancer in the white populations with its incidence reaching epidemic proportions. (Diepgen & Mahler, 2002)
Although approved in the USA (Ross, 2012) and the publication of guidance in the UK (Morton et al., 2002) and Europe (Morton et al., 2013) PDT seems to be underutilised in clinical practice. Currently, it appears that PDT is seen as a niche therapy (Ross, 2012) which hasn’t made its way into mainstream medicine (Bown, 2012). This highlights the current critical gap of knowledge involving the clinical uptake of PDT by practitioners. In order to further the advances in the treatment of these conditions, alternative therapies, such as PDT, must be considered, as even two decades ago, it was believed that conventional therapies were reaching their maximum capacity (Sharman et al, 1999). Also there is the increasing incidence of NMSCs. It is estimated in Australia alone from the years 2000-2010, NMSC has increased from approximately 2500 per 100000 population in 2000 to nearly 3200 per 100000 (Shih et al 2017)In order to establish why PDT is underutilised, the views of practitioners’ on their use of the therapy must be obtained. The results gathered from this research project will ascertain the current use of PDT in clinical practice and the views of clinicians on this therapy.
In addition to this, with patient centred health care, the patients view on therapy is important also. This study will look at what patients thought of their therapy and could this influence clinician selection of the therapy.
REC name
London - West London & GTAC Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/1543
Date of REC Opinion
3 Sep 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion