Photofrin photodynamic therapy for treatment of AIDS-related cutaneous Kaposi‚s sarcoma

Abstract

Photofrin is effective palliative treatment for HIV-associated Kaposi's sarcoma.

Cutaneous malignancy and human immunodeficiency virus disease

“…250 Table IV summarizes the various treatment modalities. There are many different options for local treatment of a small number of lesions. 251 These include radiation, 252,253 electron beam, 254 photodynamic therapy, 255,256 liquid nitrogen, 257 intralesional vinca alkaloids, [258][259][260][261][262] intralesional interferon-a, 263,264 intralesional human chorionic gonadotropin, 265 and topical 9-cis-retinoic acid gel (alitretinoin). 266 The use of antiviral agents with activity against HHV-8 has also been considered as a therapeutic alternative.…”

New Photodynamic Therapy Protocol to Treat AIDS-Related Kaposi's Sarcoma

“…AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma (Sk-AIDS) is the most common malignancy in AIDS patients and presents as painful cutaneous lesions that are difficult to treat. [1][2][3] Several authors have proposed the use of Ritonavir, an HIV protease inhibitor, to treat Sk-AIDS. 2,3 There are, however, major side effects, including nausea, vomiting, weakness, diarrhea, numbing sensations around the mouth, and elevated levels of liver enzymes in the blood.…”

“…Previously, PDT was tested in patients with Sk-AIDS, by using classical PDT protocols (i.e., either Photofrin [Ph] or aminolevolinic acid [ALA] as photosensitizers and laser excitation specific for each photosensitizer). 1,[9][10][11][12] However, Hebeda et al reported unsatisfactory cosmetic results (scars and hyperpigmentation) after systemic administration of Ph and PDT treatment in Sk-AIDS. 10 Nonetheless, because PDT can be repeated several times and is not associated with immunosuppressive activity or significant systemic toxicity, Calzavara-Pinton et al 9 suggested that PDT could be a promising treatment modality for Sk-AIDS.…”

Photodynamic Therapy for Malignant Skin Lesions

“…Based on this, the authors could not recommend Photofrin-PDT for Sk-AIDS (Hebeda et al 1995 ). Bernstein et al published a comprehensive study with 25 patients and concluded that Ph-PDT was effective as palliative treatment for Sk-AIDS; however, cutaneous phototoxicity reactions were seen in 27 % of the patients (Bernstein et al 1999 ). In 2006, Tardivo et al injected phenothiazinium compounds (methylene blue and toluidine blue) and used PDT with a noncoherent light source (RL50) to treat Sk-AIDS in a single patient.…”