Temoporfin-mediated photodynamic therapy in patients with advanced, incurable head and neck cancer: A multicenter study.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to confirm the efficacy of temoporfin (Foscan)-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) in patients with end-stage head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).


METHODS
Thirty-nine patients with recurring HNSCC lesions ≤10 mm in depth were injected with temoporfin, followed by illumination of the tumor surface.


RESULTS
Of 39 treated patients, 19 achieved complete response, 2 partial response, 5 stable disease, 5 had progressive disease, and 8 patients were nonevaluable. Thus, in the per-protocol analysis, the response rate was 68%. Of the treated patients 54% had a response. Median survival was significantly longer for responders (37 months) than for nonresponders (7.4 months). Nine patients were alive at 3.7 to 6.5 years (median, 4.8 years) post-treatment, 7 free of disease. No major toxicities were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with advanced HNSCC with lesions ≤10 mm in depth, who have exhausted other treatment options, can achieve significant local control and survival benefit from temoporfin-mediated PDT.
Tan
Ing Bing
IB
The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. i.tan@nki.nl
Dolivet
Gilles
G
Ceruse
Philippe
P
Vander Poorten
Vincent
V
Roest
Gerda
G
Rauschning
Winrich
W
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008652:Mesoporphyrins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D008652:Mesoporphyrins; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; C072269:temoporfin