Photodynamic therapy reduces the histological features of actinic damage and the expression of early oncogenic markers

Abstract

These findings show that PDT has the potential to reduce the histological signs of photoageing. Moreover, the reduction of Ki-67, a marker of proliferation and of p53, a marker of early skin carcinogenesis, indicates a reversal of the carcinogenic process. On the other hand, the fact that one treatment does not clear dysplasia and expression of p53 completely, and the persistence of cyclin D₁, indicate that one single treatment, despite showing good clinical results, is not sufficient to clear completely the signs of chronic actinic damage, and thus the risk of NMSC.