Interstitial photodynamic therapy in combination with Cetuximab for recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

<strong>Background and Purpose</strong>: Combination therapy of interstitial photodynamic therapy (iPDT) with Cetuximab to attain symptomatic control of recurrent head and neck cancer. <strong>Methods</strong>: Two patients with Unresectable recurrent Head and Neck SCC were treated with iPDT alone and iPDT and cetuximab. Treatments were administered in an outpatient setting. A single dose of Photofrin at 2 mg per kilogram of body weight was administered intravenously two days prior to laser illumination. The iPDT was accomplished by delivering 630-nm laser light through two laser fibers with 2.5 and 5 cm long diffusive ends. Light irradiance of 400 mW/cm for 250 seconds was used to deliver a total of 100 J/cm, during the iPDT. Light applications were conducted, twice, at 3-4 days interval. One of the patients was treated with cetuximab along with iPDT. <strong>Results</strong>: Near total resolution of tumor was observed in the patient treated with iPDT and cetuximab, and partial resolution was seen in the patient treated with iPDT alone. <strong>Conclusion</strong>: Interstitial photodynamic therapy may be used to treat patients with recurrent unresectable head and neck cancer. The combination of iPDT with Cetuximab has the potential to improve tumor response in the patient population for whom there is no effective therapies. This observation merits further studies.