A pilot study of photodynamic therapy in patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer.
26 patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were treated with photodynamic therapy (PDT) with intravenous Photofrin II 2 mg/kg. 10 out of 11 stage I patients achieved a complete response. The remaining patient, and 11 out of 15 stage III patients had a partial response. No response was seen in 4 patients, 2 of whom had inadequate illumination. Thus, the objective response rate was 85% (22/26). Although lung function did not improve, dyspnoea was ameliorated in 7 (58%) of the partial responders. 4 stage III patients had tumour progression and died of pulmonary haemorrhages 1.5-6 months after PDT. All had received external irradiation, Nd-YAG laser and/or brachytherapy before PDT. 4 patients had grade I-II skin photosensitivity. Although of value in stage I NSCLC, the clinical benefit of PDT in stage III disease was small.
Sutedja
T
T
Department of Medical Oncology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam.
Baas
P
P
Stewart
F
F
van Zandwijk
N
N
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D017323:Dihematoporphyrin Ether; D005260:Female; D006415:Hematoporphyrins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D010865:Pilot Projects
D006415:Hematoporphyrins; D017323:Dihematoporphyrin Ether