Fluorescent microscopy of hematoporphyrin derivative in the nude mouse tumor model

Photodynamic therapy for treatment of head and neck cancer

Since 1975, photodynamic therapy has reportedly been effective in a variety of head and neck malignancies that failed traditional (conventional) therapy, including surgery, cryotherapy, chemotherapy, hyperthermia, and radiation therapy. Photodynamic therapy consists of the intravenous administration of (di)hematoporphyrin ether, a chemosensitizing drug selectively retained by neoplastic and reticuloendothelial tissues which, when exposed to a 630-nm argon laser, catalyzes a photochemical reaction to release free oxygen radicals, "the cytotoxic" agents responsible for cell death and tumor necrosis. Preliminary investigations have assessed the efficacy of photodynamic therapy in treatment of: (1) superficial "condemned mucosa" or "field cancerization" of the oral cavity and (2) stage III and IV head and neck carcinomas that had unsuccessful conventional therapy. Complete and/or partial remissions were obtained in 11 of 12 patients (16 treatments) with a variety of carcinomas of the nasopharynx, palate and uvula, retromolar trigone, temporal bone, cervical esophagus, and AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma of the oral cavity.

Endogenous porphyrin fluorescence in tumors

The fluorescence of endogenous porphyrins in tumors has been attributed to the presence of several different species of bacteria inhabiting ulcerated and necrotic tissues. We have examined this "autofluorescence" in carcinogen-induced tumors in the hamster oral mucosa and in patients with cancer of the oral cavity. In several instances, bright autofluorescence of normal tissues has been observed. This represents a potential false-positive identification of cancer when systemic hematoporphyrin derivative fluorescence is used as a diagnostic technique.

Photodynamic therapy for head and neck cancer xenografts in athymic mice

This study examines efficacy and optimal treatment variables of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for human head and neck squamous cancer (HNSC) xenografts in athymic mice. Two and four days after injection of hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD), tumors were illuminated with red light from an argon-dye laser. Sixty-three tumors were treated. With HPD dose and light intensity constant at 7.5 mg/kg and 100 mW/cm2, respectively, the extent of tumor necrosis was strongly dependent on duration of light exposure. There was no substantial difference in results for 30- and 60-minute treatment durations between animals injected with HPD 2 and 4 days before treatment. After 30 minutes treatment time, responses were seen in 8 of 10 mice (2 days post-HPD) and 11 of 12 mice (4 days post-HPD). After 60 minutes treatment time, toxicity was high. We conclude that, in this model, PDT is effective in selective killing of HNSC. For future comparison studies in this model, if the indicated HPD dose and light intensity are used we recommend a 2-day delay after HPD injection and a light exposure duration of 30 minutes.