Tumor oxygenation changes post-photodynamic therapy

Tumor oxygenation after a photodynamic therapy (PDT) treatment is a critical factor for understanding the posttreatment metabolic pathway of the tumor. It also provides important information for designing combination therapy of PDT and other oxygen-dependent anticancer modalities. In this study, mammary carcinoma in flank and hind leg of C3H mice were subjected to PDT at either subcurative or curative level (12.5 mg/kg Photofrin; 200 or 600 J/cm2, respectively). The before and post-PDT tumor oxygenation was measured with an oxygen-sensitive microelectrode. The data revealed that tumor oxygenation at the time of PDT has a profound effect on posttreatment tumor oxygenation, which may largely be due to an interplay between direct PDT cytotoxicity and PDT damage to the tumor microvasculature. Transient reoxygenation occurred after PDT, which may provide a window for improved combination therapy for other oxygen-dependent modalities.