Advances in drug design strategies for phototherapy based on tumor cell death mechanisms

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising non-invasive tumor treatment. Researchers study cell death mechanisms-apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy-to improve photosensitizer design for precise tumor destruction while sparing normal tissue. This review summarizes these biological causes of cell death. It focuses on recent innovations in PDT drug development and therapeutic techniques, specifically detailing how photosensitizers kill cancer cells. The paper also highlights clinical challenges faced by therapies targeting these common mechanisms and the potential of novel mechanisms. It aims to provide new perspectives on tumor death mechanisms and PDT drug development, offering a basis for novel smart PDT systems.