Photodynamic therapy of bladder cancer. A new option - Abstract

BACKGROUND: Bladder cancer (BCa) is the third most common tumor in Germany.

Currently, resection therapy for superficial BCa (Ta, CIS) includes photodynamic diagnostics (PDD) using HEXVIX® for improved assessment of tumor spread. Trials using these photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT) showed only limited success. Especially low tissue penetration due to short-wave excitation was a limiting factor.

METHODS: This study which was funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) examined the feasibility of the novel photosensitizer tetrahydroporphyrin-tetratosylate (THPTS) for PDT in a rat bladder cancer model.

RESULTS: As THPTS is very effectively excitable at a near infrared wavelength of 760 nm it is within the so-called phototherapeutic window and allows tissue penetration of up to 15 mm. Thus THPTS can also be used for PDT of larger, solid tumors as was previously demonstrated for other tumor entities. Therefore, effective treatment of even muscle-invasive bladder cancer (≥T2) may become an option using THPTS. In this current study the effectiveness and safety of THPTS-PDT was examined in an orthotopic bladder cancer rat model.

Written by:
Neuhaus J, Schastak S, Berndt M, Walther J, Dietel A, Sieger N, Stolzenburg JU.   Are you the author?
Department für Operative Medizin, Klinik und Poliklinik für Urologie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig AöR, Liebigstraße 20, 04103, Leipzig, Deutschland.

Reference: Urologe A. 2013 Sep;52(9):1225-32.
doi: 10.1007/s00120-013-3306-2


PubMed Abstract
PMID: 24026059

Article in German.

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