Laser-induced fluorescence studies of meso-tetra(hydroxyphenyl)chlorin in malignant and normal tissues in rats

meso-Tetra(hydroxyphenyl)chlorin (mTHPC) is an attractive second-generation dihydroporphyrin photosensitiser for use in photodynamic therapy. In this study, 1.3 mg kg-1 body weight mTHPC was administered intravenously, and laser-induced fluorescence was used to characterise and compare its localisation and retention in different rat tissues, including an induced experimental adenocarcinoma, 24 h and 48 h post injection. These studies were performed in an attempt to predict the anatomical locations where mTHPC PDT might be most effective and suggest suitable injection--irradiation intervals in each case. Of particular interest were the intra-abdominal and intrathoracic tissues. The fluorescence was induced at 405 nm and the fluorescence spectrum in the region 450-750 nm was analysed. All collected spectra were dominated by the fluorescence signature of mTHPC with its peak at 652 nm, and all values in this study are in terms of background-free drug-specific fluorescence intensity at that wavelength. The photosensitiser accumulated in high concentrations in the tumour and the reticuloendothelial system. Muscular organs, such as the heart and the abdominal wall, were characterised by a low drug fluorescence signature.