Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 4, 2026
08:04
Cytotoxic Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy in Osteosarcoma Cells In Vitro
Published on: March 18, 2014
Laser photodynamic therapy for inoperable bronchogenic squamous carcinoma
1Department of Thoracic Medicine, King's College School of Medicine and Dentistry, Denmark Hill, London.
The Quarterly Journal of Medicine
|July 1, 1987
Summary
Photodynamic therapy effectively treated advanced lung cancer. This treatment cleared airways in most patients, relieving symptoms and showing long-term disease control in one case.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pulmonology
- Photomedicine
Background:
- Advanced squamous bronchogenic carcinoma presents significant treatment challenges.
- Radiotherapy is a common but often insufficient treatment modality for advanced lung cancer.
- Palliative care options are crucial for improving quality of life in these patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) as a palliative treatment for advanced squamous bronchogenic carcinoma.
- To assess symptom relief, specifically haemoptysis and breathing obstruction.
- To determine the safety and complications associated with PDT in this patient group.
Main Methods:
- Fifteen patients with advanced squamous bronchogenic carcinoma received palliative PDT.
- Tumor sensitization was achieved using haematoporphyrin derivative or dihaematoporphyrin ether.
- Tumors were illuminated with 630 nm light.
Main Results:
- All treated tumors responded to PDT.
- Complete bronchial clearing was observed in 3 out of 12 patients with adequate illumination.
- Partial clearing (>50%) was achieved in 9 out of 12 patients, leading to symptom relief.
- One patient with recurrent tumor remained disease-free for over two years post-treatment.
- Complications included temporary skin photosensitivity (3 patients), infection (2 patients), and transient worsening of breathing obstruction (2 patients).
Conclusions:
- Photodynamic therapy is an effective palliative treatment for advanced squamous bronchogenic carcinoma.
- PDT can achieve significant tumor debulking and symptom relief in the majority of patients.
- While generally safe, potential complications should be monitored and managed.
