PHOTORADIATION THERAPY FOR TREATMENT OF MALIGNANT-TUMORS

Abstract

Administration of a hematoporphyrin derivative, i.v., followed by local exposure to red light resulted in complete or partial response in 111 of 113 cutaneous or subcutaneous malignant lesions [in humans]. Tumors treated included carcinomas of the breast, colon, prostate, squamous cell, basal cell and endometrium; malignant melanoma; mycosis fungoides; chondrosarcoma; and angiosarcoma. No type was unresponsive. In several cases complete clearing of chest wall metastatis was achieved in treated areas. Deep-seated and pigmented tumors required a higher dose of drug for effective treatment than did the more superficial and nonpigmented lesions. A high therapeutic ratio between tumor and skin response was obtained by allowing at least 3 days between drug injection and exposure to the therapeutic light for 2.5 mg/kg doses and at least a 4 day interval for 5.0 mg/kg doses.