Abstract
Mechanisms for improving photodynamic therapy (PDT) were investigated in the murine RIF1 tumour using meso-tetrahydroxyphenylchlorin (m-THPC) or bacteriochlorin a (BCA) as photosensitisers and comparing these results with Photofrin-mediated PDT. The 86Rb extraction technique was used to measure changes in perfusion at various times after interstitial PDT. Non-curative combinations of light doses with m-THPC and BCA PDT markedly decreased vascular perfusion. This decrease was more pronounced for both new photosensitisers than for Photofrin. Comparison of tumour perfusion after PDT with tumour response revealed an inverse correlation for all three photosensitisers, but the relationship was less clear for m-THPC and BCA. In vivo/in vitro experiments were performed after Photofrin or m-THPC PDT in order to assess direct tumour kill (immediate plating) vs indirect vascular effects (delayed plating). For both photosensitisers, there was little direct cell killing but clonogenic survival decreased as the interval between treatment and excision increased. When m-THPC PDT was combined with mitomycin C (MMC), light doses could be decreased by a factor of 2 for equal tumour effects. Lower light and m-THPC doses could be used compared with Photofrin PDT in combination with MMC. BCA PDT with MMC did not result in a greater tumour response compared with BCA PDT alone. Reduction in both light and photosensitiser does for effective PDT regimes in combination with MMC offers substantial clinical advantages, since both treatment time and skin photosensitisation will be reduced.
Highlights
Using the 86Rb technique (Van Geel et al, 1994), we have shown that noncurative doses of m-THPC and bacteriochlorin a (BCA) photodynamic therapy (PDT) decrease vascular perfusion in the RIFI tumour for a period of at least 24 h
An inverse correlation was found for m-THPC and BCA PDT, but the correlation was much less pronounced possibly indicating a greater component of direct tumour cell killing for these sensitisers
Similar observations were made by Henderson et al (1985), who found that when cells were excised and plated immediately after Photofrin PDT there was no reduction of cell survival in vitro, in vivo tumour necrosis was observed after the doses used
Summary
The purpose of this study was to measure the influence of m-THPC- or BCA-mediated PDT on the vascular perfusion
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