SmartPDT - Smartphone Satellite-Based Self-Care Daylight-Photodynamic Therapy

在英国，被太阳晒伤的皮肤以癌前病变的形式被称为光化性角化病（AK），这是一种非常常见的慢性疾病，大约有四分之一的60岁以上的人受到影响。AK会给患者带来严重的不适和问题，如果不及时治疗，可能会转变为危及生命的侵袭性皮肤癌。对于这种情况，有一种有效且几乎无痛的治疗方法，称为日光光动力疗法（dPDT）。患者对这种治疗的满意度很高，因为它是在室外日光下在个人选择的任何地点进行的。尽管有积极的一面，但由于担心获得足够的日光以使治疗有效，这种治疗仅适用于英国的一小部分人。该项目解决了这些限制，是英国初创企业siHealth Ltd和Ninewells医院光生物学部门之间的合作项目。利用地球观测卫星和智能手机技术，我们旨在为患者和医生简化dPDT。我们将利用这项技术协助教育和实时监测，让患者在接受医疗指导的同时自行治疗。这个项目可以促进这种宝贵的治疗方法广泛适用于患有这种常见慢性疾病的人。

Sun-damaged skin in the form of pre-cancerous lesions called Actinic Keratosis (AK), is a very common chronic condition in the UK, which affects around a quarter of people over 60. AK can cause significant discomfort and problems for patients and, if untreated, may transform into life-threatening invasive skin cancer. There is an effective and almost painless treatment for this condition, called daylight Photodynamic Therapy (dPDT). Patient satisfaction with this treatment is high because it takes place in outdoor daylight in any location of the individual's choosing. Despite the positives this treatment is only available to a small number of individuals throughout the UK due to concerns around obtaining enough daylight for the treatment to be effective. This project addresses these limitations and is a collaboration between UK start-up business siHealth Ltd and the Photobiology Unit at Ninewells Hospital. Using Earth Observation satellites and smartphone technology we aim to simplify dPDT for patients and practitioners. We will use the technology to assist with education and real-time monitoring to allow patients to treat themselves, whilst remaining under medical guidance. This project could facilitate wide availability of this invaluable therapy for those with this common chronic disease.