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An In Vitro Approach to Photodynamic Therapy
Published on: August 17, 2018
Vascular targeted photodynamic therapy for bleeding gastrointestinal mucosal vascular lesions: a preliminary study
Haixia Qiu1, Yongping Mao, Ying Gu
1Department of Laser Medicine, Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing 100853, China. qiuhxref@126.com
Background:
Vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy (V-PDT) has shown good selectivity and efficacy in the treatment of certain types of vascular disease, including port wine stains, age-related macular degeneration, and esophageal varices. This study was conducted to test the efficacy and safety of V-PDT in the treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding caused by the abnormal dilatation of capillaries.
Methods:
Patients with bleeding GI mucosal vascular lesions treated with V-PDT were included in this retrospective study. The efficiency of V-PDT was analyzed by comparing the documented endoscopy results, hemoglobin levels, and transfusion requirements before and at 6 months after the last V-PDT. Side effects during and after V-PDT and follow-up results were also analyzed.
Results:
Seven patients with bleeding GI mucosal vascular lesions were treated with V-PDT. After 1-4 V-PDT sessions, all patients no longer needed transfusions to maintain a stable hemoglobin level during the follow-up period of 6 months. The mean hemoglobin level of the seven patients improved from 6.21±1.48 g/dl to 11.66±1.21 g/dl (p<0.001), and the GI bleeding and melena of all the patients disappeared. No perforations, strictures, scars, or episodes of photosensitization occurred in the seven patients, and there were no recurrences of GI bleeding during the 1-21 months of further follow-up.
Conclusions:
This preliminary study indicated that V-PDT is a highly selective, safe, well-tolerated, and effective treatment modality for bleeding GI mucosal vascular lesions. However, prospective studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm this finding.
Insights
Vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy (V-PDT) effectively treated gastrointestinal bleeding from vascular lesions. Patients showed improved hemoglobin and no recurrence, indicating V-PDT is a safe and promising option.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Vascular Medicine
- Oncology
Background:
- Vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy (V-PDT) is effective for vascular diseases.
- GI mucosal vascular lesions can cause significant bleeding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of V-PDT for GI bleeding caused by abnormal capillary dilatation.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 7 patients with bleeding GI mucosal vascular lesions treated with V-PDT.
- Analysis of endoscopy results, hemoglobin levels, and transfusion needs pre- and post-treatment.
- Monitoring of side effects and long-term follow-up.
Main Results:
- All 7 patients achieved stable hemoglobin without transfusions after 1-4 V-PDT sessions.
- Mean hemoglobin increased from 6.21 to 11.66 g/dl (p<0.001).
- GI bleeding and melena resolved; no adverse events or recurrences observed during 1-21 months follow-up.
Conclusions:
- V-PDT is a selective, safe, and effective treatment for bleeding GI mucosal vascular lesions.
- Further prospective studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to confirm findings.
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