Photodynamic therapy of head and neck tumors and non-tumor like disorders.

In conclusion, we would like to emphasize that photodynamic therapy can be used as a convenient and promising tool in the treatment of various malignancies in the head and neck area. It has to be stressed that PDT is still less effective in the treatment of more advanced cases of head and neck cancer. As the method of treatment which improves the quality of life, its usefulness can be considered as well as palliative treatment of non-operative cases. Although the method is not free of several side effects, such skin phototoxicity, burning, slight pain and edema in the irradiated location. All these side effects are transient and usually they disappear within 24 hours. The photodynamic treatment always results in excellent cosmetic effects without scarring or marring which are usually encountered after routine surgical operation.

Determination of basic fibroblast growth factor levels in serum of tumor-bearing BALB/c mice treated with photodynamic therapy.

In the present study we have checked whether photodynamic therapy (PDT) may influence concentration of basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF) in in vivo conditions. We have implanted malignant tumor, i.e. BFS1 fibrosarcoma into BALB/c mice and have them treated using well established photosensitizer, hematoporphyrin derivative and new compound, hydroxygallium (III) phthalocyanine tetrasulfonic acid tetrasodium salt, BON-6. The administration of those compounds was followed by light irradiation using a halogen lamp at proper wavelengths. Our results indicate that in vivo photodynamic therapy may cause a significant decrease in bFGF concentration and this phenomenon is accompanied by prolongation of survival of treated animals.