[Photodynamic therapy and fluorescent diagnosis of malignant tumors using preparation photogem]

From February, 1992 to May, 1993 photodynamic therapy (PDT) was applied at the State Scientific Center of Laser Medicine and the Moscow Scientific-Research Oncological Institute for the treatment of 60 patients with primary and metastatic malignant tumors of the breast, skin, respiratory and digestive organs, female reproductive organs, and urinary bladder. Forty-eight patients underwent one course of PDT, 11 patients received 2 courses, and one patient was given 3 courses. Russian-produced Photogem was used as the photosensitizer. It was infused intravenously 24, 48, or 72 hours before exposure to laser beam. The dose of Photogem ranged from 2.5 to 6.0 mg/kg. The density of laser radiation power during PDT sessions ranged from 100 to 1,600 mVt/cm2, energy exposure from 80 to 600 J/cm2, duration of irradiation from 3 to 45 minutes. After treatment the patients were studied in follow-up periods of 4 weeks to 17 months. Complete regression of the tumor verified morphologically was found in 62%, partial regression in 34%, and limited response or absence of an effect in 4% of cases. Fluorescent-diagnostic examination of patients was conducted at the Moscow Scientific-Research Oncological Institute. It demonstrated the reliability of this diagnostic method with the use of the preparation Photogem as the photosensitizer.