HpD photodynamic therapy for obstructing lung cancer

Twenty-two patients with endobronchial cancer of the lungs have been treated with photoradiation therapy (PRT) employing a set protocol of 3.0 mg/kg hematoporphyrin derivative (HpD) administered intravenously 72 hours prior to red light (630 nm) illumination via a bronchoscope. Twenty patients showed a complete response. Of these, nineteen had large obstructing endobronchial tumors; one had a small mucosal lesion. Only one patient with an obstructing tumor showed a partial response. The one showing no response had an endobronchial mass that consisted of fibrous tissue, not tumor, as shown on three separate bronchoscopic biopsies.