Distribution of hematoporphyrin derivative in normal and malignant tissue

The distribution of [14C]hematoporphyrin derivative (HpD) has been studied in mice bearing human lung tumor and in guinea pig bearing Line 10 tumor. The amount of [14C]HpD in the transplanted tumor tissue of mice at various times following drug administration (20 mg/kg) was higher than in skin or muscle tissue but was less than in liver, kidney, spleen, lung and heart tissue. The distribution pattern of [14C]HpD in guinea pig at 2 days following injection was also similar to that in mice. Our data were different from those that suggested the selectivity of uptake and retention of HpD by malignant tissues, using fluorometric techniques.