Photofrin-mediated photodynamic therapy for treatment of early stage laryngeal malignancies

To evaluate the efficacy of PHOTOFRINmediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of Tis-T1N0M0 squamous cell carcinoma (SqCCa) of the larynx in patients not amenable to or who failed conventional head and neck treatment. This is a retrospective study of 26 patients with early stage Tis-T1 SqCCa of the larynx treated with PHOTOFRIN-mediated PDT. Intravenous PHOTOFRIN (porfimer-sodium) (dose 2.0 mg/kg) was administered outpatient, followed by intraoperative photoactivation at 630 nm via fiberoptic microlens surface delivery (surgical light dose 50–100 J/cm2) 48–60 h later. As much as 16 out of 26 patients (62%) have demonstrated complete remission (average follow-up 40 months). There were 10 patients who were noted to have partial remission with recurrence observed 2–33 months subsequently retreated with either repeated PDT therapy or conventional therapy. PHOTOFRIN-mediated photodynamic therapy can be used as a primary modality to treat Tis-T1N0M0 tumors of the larynx or for treatment for those who have failed prior surgery and/or radiation therapy. PDT allows for preservation of function and structure to maintain or improve voice with absence of systemic toxicity. Patients may have multiple drug administrations and laser light retreatment for local disease control.