The effect of photodynamic therapy with talaporfin sodium, a second-generation photosensitizer, on oral squamous cell carcinoma: A series of eight cases.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with talaporfin sodium, a second-generation photosensitizer, on oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). METHODS: Eight patients who were diagnosed with oral SCC without any metastasis and underwent talaporfin sodium-mediated PDT (t-PDT) were included in this study. Biopsies were performed 4-6 weeks after t-PDT. The clinical response was evaluated using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. RESULTS: Complete response (CR) was achieved in six of eight cases, and two cases showed partial response (PR) as a clinical outcome of t-PDT. Recurrence occurred in one of the CR cases 9 months after irradiation. The patient underwent tumor resection and no recurrence was found after surgery. The two cases with PR died from the cancer despite additional PDT. CONCLUSION: t-PDT is an effective treatment strategy for oral SCC. Talaporfin sodium has an advantage with regard to early elimination from the body compared with porfimer sodium.