Near-infrared photoimmunotherapy for the treatment of skin disorders

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Near-Infrared Photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) is a novel molecularly targeted phototherapy. This technique is based on a conjugate of a near-infrared photo-inducible molecule (antibody-photon absorber conjugate, APC) and a monoclonal antibody that targets a tumor-specific antigen. To date, this novel approach has been successfully applied to several types of cancer.

Areas covered

The authors discuss the possible use of NIR-PIT for the management of skin diseases, with special attention given to squamous cell carcinomas, advanced melanomas, and primary cutaneous lymphomas.

Expert opinion

NIR-PIT may be an attractive strategy for the treatment of skin disorders. The main advantage of NIR-PIT therapy is its low toxicity to healthy tissues. Cutaneous lymphocyte antigen is a potential molecular target for NIR-PIT for both cutaneous T-cell lymphomas and inflammatory skin disorders.

KEYWORDS:

• Atopic dermatitis
• cutaneous t-cell lymphoma
• inflammatory skin disorders
• melanoma
• psoriasis
• near-infrared photoimmunotherapy
• skin cancer
• squamous cell carcinoma

Article highlights

• Near-Infrared Photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) is based on a conjugate of a near-infrared photo-inducible molecule (antibody-photon absorber conjugate, APC) and a monoclonal antibody that targets a tumor-specific antigen.

• Near-Infrared Photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) has been successfully applied in several types of cancer.

• Several trials have shown that Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR)-targeted NIR-PIT is a promising therapy for recurrent and advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs).

• Programmed Death Ligand-1 (PD-L1)-targeted NIR-PIT may be a promising therapy for advanced melanoma.

• In vitro Cutaneous Lymphocyte Antigen (CLA)-targeted NIR-PIT showed high selective cytotoxicity on a mycosis fungoides cell line.

• While interfering with skin homing mechanisms seems to control Th-cell mediated skin inflammation, a skin-directed therapy based on CLA-targeted NIR-PIT may be investigated as a novel approach for the treatment of inflammatory skin disorders.

This box summarizes key points contained in the article.

Declaration of Interests

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer Disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial relationships or otherwise to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.