ABSTRACT
Antimicrobial resistance has become a severe setback for public health, causing millions of deaths worldwide each year. Antibiotics for treating pathogens have reduced efficacy due to the ever-increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Hence, alternative approaches have been considered a necessity for treating antibiotic-resistant infections. In this context, antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) has gained tremendous attention for its high efficacy, specificity, and minimal side effects. aPDT relies on the photosensitizing agents activated by light and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. It also disrupts the cell wall and membrane, and biofilm exopolysaccharide. Another advantage of aPDT is its minimal influence in developing antibiotic resistance. Based on its mode of action and its influence on rapidly dividing cells, its application in therapeutics has mainly focused on antibacterial, antifungal, antibiofilm, and anticancer agents. It has also been shown to synergise when used in conjugation with other antimicrobial drugs. Similarly, it has also been widely studied as anticancer therapeutics combined with chemotherapy, photothermal hyperthermia therapy (PTT), and magnetic hyperthermia therapy (MHT). Based on the rapid development of aPDT as a potential antimicrobial and anticancer therapeutic, this chapter discusses the recent advancements in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT), current trends, and prospects.
