ALL-RUSSIAN CONGRESS AND CONFERENCE ON PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY AND DIAGNOSTICS. MAIN THESES

At the end of September two major events were held in Moscow and Obninsk, it was dedicated to achievements in the field of photodynamic diagnostics and therapy (PDT) – the Annual XII All-Russian Congress with international participation “Photodynamic Therapy and Photodiagnostics” and the conference “Laser and Photodynamic Therapy: Current Issues, Achievements, innovation”. Let’s outline in more detail.

For many years, events have become the main interdisciplinary platforms for scientists and practitioners in a variety of areas of medicine, from oncology to cosmetology. This year they were attended by over 850 specialists from Russia and countries near and far abroad – China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Belarus, Moldova, Tajikistan, etc. The events, which was held under the chairmanship of Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences A.D. Kaprin, leading experts in PDT in our country took an active part: Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences O.I. Koifman, Professor E.V. Stranadko, professor M.A. Green, Professor A.R. Evstigneev and other leading experts.

“Particular attention was paid to the use of PDT in various areas of oncology,” emphasized the President of the Russian Photodynamic Association, Head of the Center for Laser and Photodynamic Diagnostics and Tumor Therapy of the P. Hertsen Moscow Oncology Research Institute – branch of the Federal State Budgetary Institution of the “National Medical Research Radiological Centre” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Professor Elena FILONENKO. We discussed both independent options for using PDT and its combination with surgical treatment, radiation therapy, other antitumor treatment options, and medications.” Another key topic was the discussion of the prospects for using fluorescent diagnostics in oncology surgery, which is widespread today both in Russia and abroad.

Conference on PDT, held at the A.Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Centre, – branch of the Federal State Budgetary Institution of the “National Medical Research Radiological Centre” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, was dedicated to the memory of Mikhail Kaplan, who for many years headed the department of photodynamic diagnostics and therapy.

Main points:

The PDT method has proven its effectiveness. Today, effective PDT technologies have been developed and are available in various fields of medicine.
PDT technologies are widely introduced and used in oncology medical organizations in many regions of Russia.
The PDT method has confidently occupied a niche in the treatment of patients; clear indications for use have been developed for it.
The PDT method is in demand in oncology, both in combination with medication/radiation treatment, and as an independent option.
The method is entirely based on domestic developments, both in relation to drugs and the equipment used.
Russia is the only country where four classes of different photosensitizers (medicines) have been developed, registered and introduced into clinical practice for photodynamic therapy.
Scientific research on PDT is aimed at creating drugs that work in the infrared or near-infrared spectrum, as well as cationic photosensitizers. This opens up new prospects in the treatment of nodular tumors of parenchymal organs, as well as infectious diseases.
In the near future, wider integration of the PDT method into clinical guidelines is planned.