Reflections on the 2025 International Photodynamic Association Conference (IPA 2025): Synergistic Breakthroughs in PDT Innovation and Methylation Testing

On June 10, 2025, the 19th International Photodynamic Association Congress (IPA 2025) grandly opened at the Shanghai International Convention Center. This year's congress, themed "Integration of Photodynamic Basic and Clinical Research for the Benefit of Human Health," gathered over 800 experts from more than 30 countries, covering oncology, dermatology, gynecology, dentistry, and other fields, showcasing the complete ecosystem of photodynamic technology from basic research to clinical translation. Photodynamic medicine is transitioning from a "single treatment modality" to a "multidisciplinary integrated approach," and Chinese scholars have secured key positions in global guidelines through independent development of novel photosensitizers and intelligent light source systems.

During the congress, top scholars in the field of gynecologic photodynamic therapy from both domestic and international institutions gathered for a unique specialized symposium. Chinese scholars have secured key positions in global guidelines through independent development of novel photosensitizers (such as aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy, ALA-PDT) and intelligent light source systems.

I. Conference Reflections: Future Pathways for Technology Synergy

1. Multidisciplinary Data Integration: The correlation between photodynamic efficacy and methylation markers requires a big data platform. It is recommended to reference the IPA congress's "Global Clinical Database for Photodynamic Therapy" and incorporate epigenomic data to build multidimensional risk prediction models.

2. Clinical Translation Path Optimization: Currently, cancer methylation testing is mostly limited to the research stage. In gynecologic oncology, 4 cervical cancer methylation detection kits and 2 endometrial cancer methylation detection kits have obtained NMPA Class III medical device certifications — an important milestone for gynecologic oncology. Future collaboration with photodynamic device manufacturers to develop "integrated detection-treatment" solutions will create a new milestone in personalized medicine.

3. Global Standard Development: The synergistic application of photodynamic therapy and methylation testing lacks unified international standards. The "Technical Guideline Development Committee" model from the IPA congress should be referenced to establish multinational collaboration mechanisms. The 2025 International Photodynamic Congress not only demonstrated the clinical power of photodynamic technology but also prompted reflection during the learning process on the enormous potential of synergistic innovation between epigenetics and photodynamic medicine. As a core tool for tumor "liquid biopsy," methylation testing can be deeply integrated into the full-cycle management of photodynamic medicine — from early screening, treatment target selection, to recurrence monitoring — ultimately achieving the medical vision of "precision, non-invasive, comprehensive coverage." We look forward to Chinese scholars continuing to lead technology standard development, so that the synergistic innovation of photodynamic therapy and methylation testing can benefit patients worldwide.

II. Photodynamic Medicine: Basic Principles and Gynecologic Applications

Photodynamic medicine is a precision treatment technology based on the triad of light, photosensitizer, and oxygen. Its core principle utilizes specific wavelengths of light to activate photosensitizers (such as porphyrin and phthalocyanine compounds), generating reactive oxygen species (ROS, such as singlet oxygen) and other reactive substances that induce apoptosis, necrosis, or inhibit angiogenesis in lesional cells, thereby achieving therapeutic purposes.

III. Photodynamic Applications in Gynecology

1. Cervical Lesions: For cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) caused by persistent high-risk HPV infection, photodynamic therapy can selectively clear lesional tissue while preserving cervical structure and function, reducing the impact of surgery on fertility.
2. Condylomata Acuminata: Vulvar/vaginal condylomata caused by low-risk HPV infection can be treated with photodynamic therapy, which destroys wart tissue and inhibits viral replication, with lower recurrence rates compared to traditional physical treatments (such as laser, cryotherapy). ALA-PDT treatment of cervical HSIL achieves a complete response rate of 92.5%, with HPV clearance rates increasing from 64.6% at 6 months to 81.3% at 1 year.

IV. Gynecologic Methylation: Epigenetic Regulation and Disease Association

DNA methylation is an important epigenetic modification, primarily manifested as methylation of the 5-carbon position of cytosine in CpG dinucleotides. Under normal conditions, hypermethylation of gene promoter regions inhibits gene transcription, while global hypomethylation may lead to genomic instability. In gynecologic diseases, abnormal methylation is closely associated with various pathological processes.

Research on methylation testing and photodynamic efficacy has found that patients with positive methylation results (hypermethylation) compared to negative (hypomethylation) results require more treatment sessions for photodynamic treatment of cervical HSIL lesions, suggesting that methylation testing may serve as a predictive marker for treatment efficacy.

V. CISCER® (PAX1/JAM3) in Post-Treatment Monitoring and Recurrence Warning for Cervical Lesions (Cancer)

1. Local Lesion Recurrence Assessment: Regular PAX1/JAM3 methylation testing for post-surgical cervical lesion/cancer patients, combined with photodynamic follow-up treatment, can reduce recurrence rates.
2. Individualized Treatment Strategy Optimization: PAX1/JAM3 methylation testing in cervical lesion patients can predict fewer photodynamic treatment sessions, reducing patient anxiety about lesions and enabling earlier recovery awareness.

VI. Conclusion

During the congress, we learned about the photodynamic vision and also reflected on the role of methylation as a follow-up biomarker in cervical lesion/cancer treatment, which can help assess treatment benefit and reduce patient anxiety during the treatment period.

About CISPOLY

CISPOLY · Beijing Origin-Poly

Beijing Origin CISPOLY Biotechnology Co., Ltd. is a technology-driven enterprise committed to health innovation. As a pioneer in the field of early gynecologic oncology diagnosis, CISPOLY has developed early-detection products for cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, and ovarian cancer using proprietary technologies and patent-protected biomarkers, filling a critical gap in the field.

As women pay increasing attention to their own health, the women's health market holds great potential. Beyond the early screening and diagnosis product pipeline for gynecologic oncology, CISPOLY will continue to build additional women's health product lines, establishing itself as a technology-innovation-leading enterprise in the women's health market.