CLINICAL USE OF HEMATOPORPHYRIN DERIVATIVE IN MALIGNANT TUMORS

It has been shown by many investigators that hematoporphyrin derivative (HpD) when infused intravenously is perferentially retained by malignant cells. Clinical trials both for the detection and treatment of malignant tumors have been carried out. If localized HpD is activated by visible light, particularly 625-630 nm in the wave length of the spectrum red region cytotoxic singlet oxygen is elicited. Since 1981 a study group on HpD-photoradiation therapy (HpD-PRT) has been set up in the Cancer Institute, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS), Beijing. PRT technic and procedure used in this group are essentially the same as first described by Dougherty and his associates, except that all the medical facilities including the HpD and laser system used are China made. 47 patients with cancers treated by PRT are presented with promising short-term results.