TEMOPORFIN-MEDIATED PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED, INCURABLE HEAD AND NECK CANCER: A MULTICENTER STUDY

Background. The aim of this study was to confirm the efficacy of temoporfin (Foscan)-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) in patients with end-stage head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Methods. Thirty-nine patients with recurring HNSCC lesions <= 10 mm in depth were injected with temoporfin, followed by illumination of the tumor surface. Results. Of 39 treated patients, 19 achieved complete response, 2 partial response, 5 stable disease, 5 had progressive disease, and 8 patients were nonevaluable. Thus, in the per-protocol analysis, the response rate was 68%. Of the treated patients 54% had a response. Median survival was significantly longer for responders (37 months) than for nonresponders (7.4 months). Nine patients were alive at 3.7 to 6.5 years (median, 4.8 years) post-treatment, 7 free of disease. No major toxicities were observed. Conclusions. Patients with advanced HNSCC with lesions <= 10 mm in depth, who have exhausted other treatment options, can achieve significant local control and survival benefit from temoporfin-mediated PDT. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 32: 1597-1604, 2010