Experience with Photodynamic Therapy Using Indocyanine Green Liposomes for Refractory Cancer

Abstract

We reported the development of an effective cancer treatment using a multidisciplinary treatment, including photodynamic therapy (PDT) with indocyanine green (ICG) liposomes and a combination of Lentinula edodes mycelia (LEM) and hydrogen gas inhalation therapy. ICG liposomes were prepared by adding 5 mg of ICG to 50 mL liposomes. Later, 25 mL of ICG liposomes were diluted with 250 mL of 5% glucose solution and administered intravenously to the patient. We selected the multi-laser delivery system (MLDS), a laser irradiator for performing PDT. Further, the patients received a combination of LEM and hydrogen gas inhalation therapy throughout the treatment. We reported two cases of PDT therapy, one with middle intrathoracic esophagus carcinoma and the other with hypopharyngeal cancer. In the first case, the MLDS laser was directly attached to the endoscope and directed to the cancer area with wavelengths of 810 nm. After the treatment, a biopsy demonstrated no tumor recurrence. In the second case, the patient was treated with endovascular PDT using ICG liposomes and MLDS fiber optics. Later, tumor shrinkage was demonstrated after the first round and disappeared after six months. In conclusion, the present findings suggest that the effect of PDT using ICG liposomes with LEM and hydrogen gas may eradicate cancer without burdening patients by enhancing tumor immunity.

Clinical Use of Cisplatin Liposomes for Patients With Refractory Advanced Cancer

“…In addition, CDDP liposome intervention demonstrated some antitumor efficacy in both participants in the present study. The effect of sodium thiosulfate cannot be ruled out in terms of the side effects caused by CDDP in the present study [25]; however, we believe that the present results are due to the liposomalization of CDDP, as shown in Figure 4, and previous studies that used similar liposomes have also reported liposome-related EPR effects [17]. Furthermore, previous reports of CDDP liposomes reducing cytotoxicity in humans in clinical trials and in vitro studies support the present study's results [26][27].…”

“…1,2-Dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) was purchased from Yuka-Sangyo Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan), and CDDP was purchased from Nichi-Iko (Sogawa, Japan). Liposomes were prepared as previously reported (17). Briefly, DMPC was dissolved in a 5% glucose solution at a concentration of 8.85 mM using a Bransonic ® CPX8800H-J Ultrasonic Cleaner (Branson Ultrasonic Co., Ltd., Danbury, CT, USA) and then sonicated at 40 kHz for 60 min under 45 °C.…”

“…However, SMA-CDDP has the disadvantage of undergoing chemical synthesis for several days [15], making it less convenient for clinical use. Our research team previously reported a clinical case in which indocyanine green (ICG) encapsulated liposomes (ICG liposomes) were accumulated in a tumor and demonstrated therapeutic efficacy with photodynamic therapy [17]. Therefore, we used liposomes in the present study because of guaranteed tumor accumulation and safety owing to the EPR effect in clinical practice and because they are easy to prepare and suitable for encapsulation of low molecular weight compounds, such as CDDP (Figure 1).…”

Recent Development of Photoresponsive Liposomes Based on Organic Photosensitizers, Au Nanoparticles, and Azobenzene Derivatives for Nanomedicine

“…More preclinical and clinical studies suggested that ICG-based photoresponsive liposomes − may be an alternative to chemotherapy. As a piece of evidence, Yorozu and colleagues reported a classic case of ICG photoresponsive liposomes used in the treatment of human advanced cancer. ICG photoresponsive liposomes were injected intravenously into the cancer tissues of patients with middle intrathoracic esophagus carcinoma.…”

Combined Ferritin Nanocarriers with ICG for Effective Phototherapy Against Breast Cancer

“… 5 However, major drawbacks were reported in different clinical trials in relation to porphyrin-related PSs, such as slow excretion, high bioaccumulation and strong adverse reactions to visible light. 6 A particularly interesting PS is Indocyanine Green (ICG). ICG is an FDA approved fluorescent dye that is currently used in oncology to track sentinel lymph nodes in breast cancers (BCs) and is widely adopted in laparoscopic surgery to enhance visibility and provide detailed anatomical information during surgery.…”