A dose ranging study of photodynamic therapy with porfimer sodium (Photofrin®) for treatment of basal cell carcinoma

Abstract

This is the largest dose-ranging study of porfimer sodium, and the largest number of lesions treated in a single study. We found that with 1 mg/kg porfimer sodium, PDT can be a selective and durable treatment for sporadic and NBCCS-associated BCC.

Enhanced Systemic Immune Reactivity to a Basal Cell Carcinoma Associated Antigen Following Photodynamic Therapy

“…Topically applied ALA was used primarily for thinner lesions as it has been shown to be less effective on thicker lesions due to lower permeability into the stratum corneum (26). Porfimer sodium (1mg/kg) in D5W was infused into patients intravenously, which allows for treatment of deeper lesions (27) but results in significant skin phototoxicity. Therefore Porfimer sodium treated patients were instructed to avoid direct sunlight as well as strong indoor lighting for up to 6 weeks post infusion.…”

Optimization of treatment parameters for Foscan®‐PDT of basal cell carcinomas

“…Whereas precancerous states such as actinic keratoses and early invasive BCCs are conveniently treatable using topically applied photosensitizers (5-ALA or its esters), infiltrative BCCs exceeding 2 mm in tumor thickness require more effective, systemic photosensitation. Appropriate photosensitizers for this indication seem to be mostly Porfimer Sodium or mTHPC, and both have been investigated clinically before with reasonably high patient numbers [17,22]. As the former has the downside of a much prolonged, generalized cutaneous photosensitization if compared to the latter [23], attention in recent years has mostly been drawn to the ''second generation'' photosensitizer mTHPC.…”

“…Even though good clinical results have been reported for the hematoporphyrin derivative Photofrin 1 [17], second generation photosensitizers such as mTHPC (Foscan 1 , Biolitec Pharma Ltd., Dublin, Ireland) have recently provoked more attention because of their increased quantum yields (i.e., photodynamic efficacy) and reduced generalized photosensitivity. Being licensed in the European Union for palliative reduction of tumor volume in head and neck oncology, Foscan 1 -PDT with superficial illumination leads to tumor necrosis up to a depth of approximately 1 cm [18] when the procedure is performed according to the approved parameters (0.15 mg/kg Foscan 1 applied 96 hours prior to treatment; illumination at 652 nm with a total light dose of 20 J/cm 2 ).…”

Naevoid Basal Cell Carcinoma Syndrome in a 22-month-old Child Presenting with Multiple Basal Cell Carcinomas and a Fetal Rhabdomyoma

“…Diagnostic and management protocols were recently proposed in order to limit morbidity and mortality in the affected patients (9) Surgical excision, electrodessication and curettage are performed to treat small BCCs. other treatments such as laser ablation, photodynamic therapy, and topical chemotherapy may be effective in patients with multiple lesions (10). Imiquimod 5% cream also seems to be useful (11).…”