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Photodynamic Therapy / Bacterial Infections / Photochemotherapy · Journal article
The Veterinary Quarterly · August 16, 2026
A consensus or society position rather than new primary data.
This narrative review synthesizes the current state of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in veterinary oncology and antimicrobial applications across companion animals, livestock, wildlife, and reptiles. The authors conclude that while PDT shows distinctive benefits—including spatiotemporal selectivity, low toxicity, fewer adverse effects, and reduced drug resistance risk—existing clinical evidence remains preliminary, limited by very small sample sizes and the absence of comparator groups, though these studies provide a theoretical foundation and technical reference for further development.
Narrative review article. Peer-reviewed publications reporting spontaneous clinical cases of PDT application in veterinary species (companion animals, livestock, wildlife, and reptiles).. Intervention: Photodynamic therapy using photosensitive compounds administered locally or systemically, activated by light exposure matching the photosensitiser's absorption profile..
Tumour incidence accounts for approximately 25–50% and bacterial infections account for approximately 20–50% in animal populations, causing billions in livestock industry losses annually. PDT demonstrates significant application potential in antitumour, atherosclerosis, and antibacterial applications. PDT works by administering a photosensitive compound that accumulates preferentially in diseased tissues and, when exposed to matching-wavelength light, initiates photochemical reactions to damage abnormal cells.
No aggregate data on efficacy, safety outcomes, or comparative effect sizes across veterinary studies are provided.
Clinicians should recognize PDT as an emerging therapeutic option with distinctive advantages over conventional chemotherapy and antimicrobial therapy, particularly regarding drug resistance and adverse effects, but should acknowledge that current clinical evidence in veterinary medicine remains limited and requires further rigorous evaluation before widespread adoption.
This is a narrative review synthesizing current knowledge of photodynamic therapy applications in veterinary medicine, offering evidence-based guidance on mechanisms, clinical uses, and future directions, though the authors explicitly note that existing clinical evidence is limited by very small sample sizes and absence of comparator groups.
As stated by the source record.
Quoted from the source exactly as published.
Clinicians should recognize PDT as an emerging therapeutic option with distinctive advantages over conventional chemotherapy and antimicrobial therapy, particularly regarding drug resistance and adverse effects, but should acknowledge that current clinical evidence in veterinary medicine remains limited and requires further rigorous evaluation before widespread adoption.
Graded across the dimensions that decide whether you should act, each from what the source actually supports. There is no single score, and where a dimension was not assessed it says so.
Significant causes of morbidity in veterinary medicine are tumourigenic diseases and pathogenic infections, which pose significant threats to animal health. Traditional methods for treating tumours and bacterial infections primarily involve chemotherapy and antibiotic therapy, both of which are associated with drug resistance and adverse effects. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is gaining increasing interest in veterinary clinical practice because of its distinctive benefits such as spatiotemporal selectivity, low toxicity, fewer negative effects, and reduced risk of drug resistance. This review summarises the fundamental principles of PDT and its applications in combating tumours and microbial infections in veterinary practice involving companion animals, livestock, wildlife, and reptiles. It is worth noting that the existing clinical evidence is limited by very small sample sizes and the absence of comparator groups; however, these studies have provided a preliminary theoretical foundation and technical reference for further clinical development of PDT. Moreover, the opportunities and challenges associated with PDT in veterinary clinical practice are discussed herein.
Taken from the source record, never inferred. Follow any of these and new work involving them reaches your briefing.