title: Experimental photodynamic laser therapy for rheumatoid arthritis with a second generation photosensitizer.
abstract: Photodynamic laser therapy has been shown to be a new method for the treatment of synovitis in various animal models. Its principle is the accumulation of a photosensitizing drug in the inflamed synovium which is destroyed by photoactivation of the drug. In the present animal study we demonstrate the effect of a second-generation photosensitizer and suggest a concept for light dosimetry within the joint. We used 38 inbred rabbits for the IgG-induced arthritis model; 2 mg/kg of the benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid ring-A (BPD-MA) Verteporfin were administered 3 h before irradiation, which was performed using a 690-nm diode laser coupled to quartz glass fiber with a cylinder diffusor tip at a total light energy of either 180 or 470 J. During irradiation specific fluorescence of BPD-MA was monitored using a spectroscopy unit. The effect of the photodynamic laser therapy was documented grossly and histologically after 1 week. Within the 470 J-group a complete necrosis of the inflamed synovium was observed. The bradytrophic structures of the joint, however, remained unchanged. Throughout the 180 J-group the extent of necrosis was minor. During irradiation the tissue fluorescence of BPD-MA showed a dose-dependent decrease. Using BPD-MA as a photosensitizer a highly selective and minimal invasive synoviorthesis can be performed. At a dose of 2 mg/kg the histological effect depends on the light dose. For optimum efficacy a total energy of 470 J seems favorable. Online fluorescence detection can be used to monitor the effect of light administration. For dosimetry therefore an online tissue fluorescence detection may represent a technical solution.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, König-Ludwig-Haus, Würzburg University, Germany. c-hendrich.klh@mail.uni-wuerzburg.de
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hendrich
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hüttmann
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Vispo-Seara
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Houserek
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Siebert
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005453:Fluorescence; D007834:Lasers; D008297:Male; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011817:Rabbits; D011829:Radiation Dosage
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011166:Porphyrins; C504224:benzoporphyrin D