+353-1-416-8900REST OF WORLD
+44-20-3973-8888REST OF WORLD
1-917-300-0470EAST COAST U.S
1-800-526-8630U.S. (TOLL FREE)
New

Global Cancer Photodynamic Therapy Market & Clinical Trial Insight 2030

  • PDF Icon

    Clinical Trials

  • 220 Pages
  • July 2025
  • Region: Global
  • Kuick Research
  • ID: 5003107

Global Cancer Photodynamic Therapy Market & Photosensitizer Clinical Trial Outlook 2030 Report Highlights:

  • Research Methodology
  • Overview On Procedural Framework For Photodynamic Cancer Therapy 
  • Global Cancer Photodynamic Therapy Market Opportunity: > USD 6 Billion
  • Global & Regional Market Trends Insight,
  • Integration Of Photodynamic Therapy By Indication
  • Insight On Cancer Photosensitizers In Clinical Trials: > 10
  • Global Photosensitizers Clinical Pipeline By Company, Indication & Phase
  • Insight On Key Approaches For Tumor Eradication Through Synergistic Photodynamic Therapy
  • Competitive Landscape

Need for Photodynamic Therapy & Why This Report?

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is becoming a valuable alternative and adjunct to traditional cancer therapies because of its novel mechanism of action and strongly localized effects. Photodynamic therapy uses a triad of agents, namely photosensitizing drugs, light of a specific wavelength, and tissue-bound oxygen, to produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species that selectively destroy cancer cells. Such a mechanism provides site-specific tumor killing with minimal damage to neighboring healthy tissues, a major advantage over chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which tend to cause systemic toxicity or collateral tissue destruction.

The requirement for photodynamic therapy has been particularly apparent in the treatment of cancers in cosmetically and functionally critical areas, including the skin, esophagus, lung, and cervix. The potential to re-administer photodynamic therapy several times without cumulative toxicity further increases its importance in the management of recurrent or unresectable tumors. Additionally, photodynamic therapy ability to induce localized immune responses and maintain organ function adds to its increasing popularity among medical specialties.

This report has been created to deliver an extensive overview of photodynamic therapy as a dynamic therapeutic strategy. It encapsulates the technology’s mechanistic advantages, indications approved by regulatory agencies, problems, and current innovations, making it a high-potential solution for both oncology and non-oncology practices.

Clinical Trials Insight Included In Report

Photodynamic therapy has been subjected to strenuous clinical investigations in multiple tumors and stages of disease. A number of photosensitizers have already gained regulatory approval for individual indications following the successful completion of Phase III trials. Porfimer sodium (Photofrin), the first commercially available photodynamic therapy agent, was shown to be effective in esophageal carcinoma, non-small cell lung carcinoma, and pre-cancerous lesions such as Barrett’s esophagus. Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and its analogue MAL are approved for actinic keratosis and superficial basal cell carcinoma following dermatological trials, which achieved excellent lesion removal with little cosmetic damage.

More recent agents such as temoporfin are also being further tested for head and neck cancers. Photodynamic therapy is also being examined through multiple Phase II and III studies for gliomas, cholangiocarcinoma, and intraocular tumors, frequently in populations with few other treatment options. The report includes information on the design and results of these trials, including variables of photosensitizer type, techniques of light delivery, oxygenation status, and patient-reported outcomes.

Moreover, early-stage clinical trials are assessing photodynamic therapy in combination with immunotherapy or chemotherapy to improve therapeutic outcomes and overcome tumor resistance. These combinatorial strategies are gaining traction as they seek to integrate photodynamic therapy localized effect with systemic immune activation or cytotoxic synergy.

Key Companies Involved In R&D Of Photodynamic Therapies

Various biotech and pharmaceutical firms, as well as academic institutions, are engaged in developing and optimizing photodynamic therapy platforms. Industry leaders like Pinnacle Biologics, Biofrontera, Soligenix, and Steba Biotech are working on next-generation photosensitizers with enhanced pharmacokinetics, reduced photosensitivity times, and greater tumor specificity. Biofrontera, for instance, has marketed several ALA-based photodynamic therapy products for dermatological applications in the US and EU.

Academic institutions such as Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, University College London, and Harvard Medical School play a critical role in creating new light delivery systems and investigating photodynamic therapy -induced immune mechanisms. Their investigations are the foundation of current collaborations and clinical partnerships that seek to extend photodynamic therapy into new oncologic and non-oncologic frontiers.

Concurrently, technology ventures are using nanotechnology and drug design supported by artificial intelligence to develop intelligent delivery systems that enhance photosensitizer targeting and minimize off-target effects. These developments are enhancing the extent of applications and safety profile of photodynamic therapy treatments.

Report Highlighting Future Direction Of Photodynamic Therapy Segment

Even though it has proven therapeutic importance, photodynamic therapy is still being developed through scientific and technological innovation. The future stage of development addresses current shortcomings: essentially light penetration depth, oxygen dependency, and long-term photosensitivity. To suppress them, researchers are engineering near-infrared activatable photosensitizers, tumor-targeted nanoparticles, and oxygen independent reaction mechanisms.

One promising area of future development involves the combination of photodynamic therapy with immunotherapies, including checkpoint inhibitors. Photodynamic therapy capacity for the delivery of tumor associated antigens as well as the induction of immunogenic cell death makes it a perfect companion to therapies enhancing the immune system’s potential for cancer fighting. This combination is being explored in several preclinical models as well as early-phase clinical trials.

In addition, the incorporation of nanocarrier based delivery systems will be able to enhance the pharmacological profile of photosensitizers, facilitating specific tumor targeting and controlled activation. Interest also exists in the application of photodynamic therapy for non-oncology indications like antimicrobial therapy, age related macular degeneration, and even autoimmune skin diseases, illustrating its wider therapeutic promise.

This report details these future directions, providing insights into new photosensitizer design, emerging clinical approaches, and spaces where photodynamic therapy can take hold beyond its established indications. For oncology, dermatology, biotechnology, and healthcare policy stakeholders, the photodynamic therapy segment is an expanding frontier that intersects with precision medicine and organ-sparing treatment objectives.

Table of Contents


1. Research Methodology
2. What is Photodynamic Cancer Therapy?
2.1 Overview
2.2 Advantage of Photodynamic Cancer Therapy
2.3 Evolution of the Photodynamic Cancer Therapy

3. Clinical Need For Photodynamic Therapy In Oncology
4. Procedural Framework For Photodynamic Cancer Therapy
4.1 Procedure for Photodynamic Therapy
4.2 Administering Photosensitizers To Body
4.3 Oxygen: A Vital Substrate in Photodynamic Therapy
4.4 Light Source: Key to Safe & Effective Photosensitizer Activation

5. Optimizing Photosensitizer Delivery For Photodynamic Therapy
5.1 Organic Nanoparticles: Enhancing Drug Loading Capacity & Solubility
5.2 Inorganic Nanocarriers As Vehicles For Photosensitizers In Photodynamic
Therapy

6. Anti-Tumor Activity Of Photodynamic Therapy
6.1 Direct Tumor Damage By Photodynamic Therapy
6.2 Vascular Damage
6.3 Inflammatory & Immune Response

7. Multiple Cancer Treatments Using Photodynamic Therapy
7.1 Skin Cancer
7.2 Prostate Cancer
7.3 Oral Lesions & Esophageal Cancer
7.4 Lung Cancer
7.5 Breast Cancer
7.6 Brain Tumors
7.7 Head & Neck Cancer
7.8 Gynecological Cancers
7.9 Colorectal Cancer
7.10 Biliary & Pancreatic Cancers

8. Global Cancer Photodynamic Therapy Market Outlook
8.1 Current Market Scenario
8.2 Future Market Opportunity

9. Photodynamic Therapy Market Analysis By Region
9.1 North America
9.2 Europe
9.3 Asia Pacific
9.4 Latin America, Middle East & Africa

10. Global Cancer Photosensitizers Clinical Pipeline Overview
10.1 By Phase
10.2 By Country
10.3 By Company
10.4 By Indication

11. Global Photosensitizers Clinical Pipeline By Company, Indication & Phase
11.1 Preclinical
11.2 Phase I
11.3 Phase-I/II
11.4 Phase-II
11.5 Phase-III

12. Marketed Photosensitizers By Company & Indication13. Synergistic Photodynamic Therapy Approaches For Tumor Eradication14. Advancements In Photodynamic Therapy Segment
15. Global Photodynamic Cancer Therapy Market Dynamics
15.1 Favorable Parameters & Opportunities
15.2 Challenges to Future Market Growth

16. Competitive Landscape
16.1 Asieris Pharmaceuticals
16.2 Aura Biosciences
16.3 Biofrontera AG
16.4 Biolitec
16.5 Coherent
16.6 Galderma
16.7 Hemerion Therapeutics
16.8 ImPact Biotech
16.9 Invion
16.10 Luzitin
16.11 Modulight Corporation
16.12 Molteni Farmaceutici
16.13 PCI Biotech
16.14 PhotoBiotics
16.15 Photolitec
16.16 photonamic
16.17 Pinnacle Biologics
16.18 Rakuten Medical
16.19 Theralase Technologies
16.20 SBI Pharmaceuticals
16.21 Shanghai Fudan-Zhangjiang Bio-Pharmaceutical
16.22 Soligenix
16.23 Sun Pharma

List of Tables and Figures
Table 13-1: Photodynamic Therapy - Combination Approaches In Clinical Trials
Figure 2-1: Cancer Photodynamic Therapy - Superior Targeted Noninvasive Alternative
Figure 2-2: Cancer Photodynamic Therapy - Evolution
Figure 3-1: Cancer Photodynamic Therapy - Need
Figure 4-1: Cancer Photodynamic Therapy - Working Principle
Figure 4-2: Desired Features of Ideal Photosensitizer
Figure 4-3: Photodynamic Therapy - Cellular Mechanism
Figure 4-4: Photodynamic Therapy - Common Light Sources
Figure 5-1: Photodynamic Therapy - Drug Delivery Systems
Figure 5-2: Photosensitizer Drugs - Liposome-Based Delivery
Figure 5-3: Quantum Dot - Structure
Figure 5-4: Gold Nanoparticles - Targeted Photosensitizer Delivery System
Figure 6 -1: Photodynamic Therapy - Tumor Cell Apoptosis Induction
Figure 6-2: Photodynamic Therapy - Vascular Damage Induction
Figure 7-1: CASE2621 Phase 1/2 (NCT05020912) Trial - Study Initiation & Completion Year
Figure 7-2: ALA-BCC-CT013 Phase 3 (NCT03573401) Trial - Study Initiation & Completion Year
Figure 7-3: PDT-MDS-BCC-24 Phase 1 (NCT06623201) Trial - Study Initiation & Completion Year
Figure 7-4: JointAPHSHC/2014-002746-50 Phase 1/2 (NCT02367547) Trial - Study Initiation & Completion Year
Figure 7-5: STU00211723 Phase 2 (NCT04429308) Trial - Study Initiation & Completion Year
Figure 7-6: ALA-AK-CT019 Phase 3 (NCT05662202) Trial - Study Initiation & Completion Year
Figure 7-7: PCM304 Phase 3 (NCT01875393) Trial - Study Initiation & Completion Year
Figure 7-8: PCM204 Phase 2 (NCT03315754) Trial - Study Initiation & Completion Year
Figure 7-9: SPC11-01-110 Phase 1/2 (NCT03067051) Trial - Study Initiation & Completion Year
Figure 7-10: 2024-FXY-183 Phase 4 (NCT06437288) Trial - Study Initiation & Completion Year
Figure 7-11: Padeliporfin Phase 1 (NCT03133650) Trial - Study Initiation & Completion Year
Figure 7-12: CA279862 Phase 2 (NCT06876038) Trial - Study Initiation & Completion Year
Figure 7-13: Lung Cancer - Photodynamic Therapy Procedure
Figure 7-14: I-3845023 Phase 2 (NCT06943664) Trial - Study Initiation & Completion Year
Figure 7-15: Porfimer Sodium Phase 1 (NCT04836429) Trial - Study Initiation & Completion Year
Figure 7-16: I 62118 Phase 1 (NCT03678350) Trial - Study Initiation & Completion Year
Figure 7-17: LCM101 Phase 1 (NCT05918783) Trial - Study Initiation & Completion Year
Figure 7-18: KTI-21-01 Phase 1 (NCT052374915) Trial - Study Initiation & Completion Year
Figure 7-19: F0009-01 Phase 3 (NCT06417281) Trial - Study Initiation & Completion Year
Figure 7-20: STUDY22120058 Phase 2 (NCT06907485) Trial - Study Initiation & Completion Year
Figure 7-21: UKM2013_0034 Phase 2 (NCT04738162) Trial - Study Initiation & Completion Year
Figure 7-22: WWU20_0041 Phase 1/2 (NCT05590689) Trial - Study Initiation & Completion Year
Figure 7-23: HTX-GBM-01 Phase 1/2 (NCT05736406) Trial - Study Initiation & Completion Year
Figure 7-24: GL 01 Phase 2 (NCT03897491) Trial - Study Initiation & Completion Year
Figure 7-25: PhotodiVIN Phase 2 (NCT05104099) Trial - Study Initiation & Completion Year
Figure 7-26: Gleolan Phase 1/2 (NCT06307548) Trial - Study Initiation & Completion Year
Figure 7-27: CARP Phase 4 (NCT05551299) Trial - Study Initiation & Completion Year
Figure 7-28: PNCM101 Phase 1 (NCT05919238) Trial - Study Initiation & Completion Year
Figure 7-29: MC230404 Phase 2 (NCT06381154) Trial - Study Initiation & Completion Year
Figure 8-1: Global - Cancer Photodynamic Therapy Market Opportunity (US$ Billion), 2024-2030
Figure 8-2: Global - Share of Cancer In Photodynamic Therapy (%), 2024 & 2030
Figure 8-3: Global - Cancer Photodynamic Therapy by Region (%), 2024 & 2030
Figure 8-4: US - Cancer Photodynamic Therapy Market Opportunity (US$ Billion), 2024 & 2030
Figure 8-5: Europe - Cancer Photodynamic Therapy Market Opportunity (US$ Billion), 2024 & 2030
Figure 8-6: Asia - Cancer Photodynamic Therapy Market Opportunity (US$ Billion), 2018 & 2026
Figure 8-7: Global Cancer Photodynamic Therapy - Future Opportunities
Figure 10-1: Global - Cancer Photosensitizers Clinical Pipeline By Phase (Numbers), 2025 Till 2030
Figure 10-2: Global - Cancer Photosensitizers Clinical Pipeline By Company (Numbers), 2020 till 2026
Figure 10-3: Global - Cancer Photosensitizers Clinical Pipeline By Company (Numbers), 2025 Till 2030
Figure 10-4: Global - Cancer Photosensitizers Clinical Pipeline By Indication (Numbers), 2025 Till 2030
Figure 13-1: Cancer Photodynamic Therapy - Limitations
Figure 15-1: Global Cancer Photodynamic Therapy Market - Drivers & Opportunities
Figure 15-2: Global Cancer Photodynamic Therapy Market - Challenges & Restraints
Figure 15-3 : Cancer Photodynamic Therapy - Scientific Limitations
Figure 15-4 : Cancer Photodynamic Therapy Market - Commercial Challenges

Companies Mentioned (Partial List)

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes, but is not limited to:

  • Asieris Pharmaceuticals
  • Aura Biosciences
  • Biofrontera AG
  • Biolitec
  • Coherent
  • Galderma
  • Hemerion Therapeutics
  • ImPact Biotech
  • Invion
  • Luzitin
  • Modulight Corporation
  • Molteni Farmaceutici
  • PCI Biotech
  • PhotoBiotics
  • Photolitec
  • photonamic
  • Pinnacle Biologics
  • Rakuten Medical
  • Theralase Technologies
  • SBI Pharmaceuticals
  • Shanghai Fudan-Zhangjiang Bio-Pharmaceutical
  • Soligenix
  • Sun Pharma