A combination therapy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and airway stent placement using a transparent silicone stent

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a combination therapy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and airway stent placement using a transparent silicone stent (gold studded stent [GSS]). Laser irradiation (664 nm, continuous wave) was performed through the GSS using a straight and cylindrical fiber 1.0 cm away from a power meter. There are two types of GSS: the TD type for the trachea and the BD type for the bronchus. Laser outputs were set to 150 mW, 180 mW, 210 mW, 240 mW, 270 mW, and 300 mW. The laser powers passing through the both types of GSS were measured three times for each outputs and the averages were calculated. Based on the results, animal experiment was performed using two female pigs. Under general anesthesia, a GSS (BD type) was inserted into trachea of pigs, and PDT using NPe6 as a photosensitizer was performed by 100 J/cm² laser irradiation on parts of the trachea with and without a GSS. Immediately after and 1 week after PDT, pig tracheas were harvested and histological analysis was performed. Histological analysis of areas with or without the stent showed edematous changes between the cartilage and submucosal layer immediately after PDT, and necrotic changes 1 week later. The effectiveness of NPe6-PDT for pigs' trachea covered by the stent was same as trachea without the stent. The use of a GSS may enable PDT to be effective even in the area covered by the stent.