title: In vitro and in vivo photosensitizing applications of Photofrin in malignant melanoma cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The object of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for malignant melanomas through in vivo and in vitro processes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Photofrin (porfimer sodium) was evaluated through in vitro processes with human malignant melanoma cells (MMCs). The in vitro absorption and photosensitizing activity of Photofrin was examined in an MMC culture system. The in vivo biological activity of Photofrin applied to subcutaneous implanted melanoma (SIM) in nude mice and exposed to different total light dosages at 630 nm was studied by determining the destruction of the tumors. Subcelluar localization and binding were observed under a fluorescent confocal microscope.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MMCs incubated with Photofrin at a concentration of about 3.5 microg/ml and exposed to laser light at 630 nm with a power density of 100 mW/cm2, showed 50% cell killing. An electron microscopic study demonstrated significant destruction of the target after PDT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Detection of the photosensitizer Photofrin was localized and its distribution fully observed. PDT-Photofrin has the capability to destroy MMCs through in vitro and in vivo SIM treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. chengjen@cgmh.org.tw
authors.forename: Cheng-Jen
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Jau-Song
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Fu-Chan
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Wei
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017323:Dihematoporphyrin Ether / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D017323:Dihematoporphyrin Ether