Pilot/phase I study--photodynamic therapy (PDT) for treatment of AIDS-associated kaposi's sarcoma (AIDS/KS) (Meeting abstract).

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1995. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Pilot/phase I study--photodynamic therapy (PDT) for treatment of AIDS-associated kaposi's sarcoma (AIDS/KS) (Meeting abstract).

Proc Annu Meet Am Assoc Cancer Res; 14:A825 1995. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/95613977
Bernstein ZP; Wilson D; Summers K; Dougherty T; Brooks J; Mang TS; Division of Medicine, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY; 14263

Abstract: In an effort to offer palliative therapy for AIDS/KS without compromise of patients' immune system we have been conducting a Phase I study of PDT. The therapy is predicated on the activation by light of a photosensitizing drug, Photofrin, which preferentially accumulates in malignant tissue such as KS after intravenous administration. Patients received 1.0 mg/kg of Photofrin by IV injection 48 hr prior to exposure to 100-300 J/cm2 of 630 nm light. Any individual patient of the 15 entered with AIDS/KS to date received several light doses as 2 to 20 lesions were treated in each patient. Results are shown in a table. The median follow-up is 3 months. Median duration of CR is 23 weeks. There was no correlation of response, or change in, CD4 count to treatment. Scabbing and necrosis of normal tissue occurred in the treatment field in 50% of lesions treated at a light dose of 300 J, thus the MTD per protocol guidelines. At all other light doses toxicities was limited to erythema and edema of normal tissue. Biopsies were performed on 40 lesions prior to and 0.5, 1, and 2 hours post treatment. These showed an absence of B and T cell infiltrate, identified utilizing anti-B (L-26) and anti-T (UCHL-1) antibodies pre and post treatment. The KS infiltrate identified by using anti-spindle cell (anti-CD-34) and anti-dendrocyte (anti-XIIIA) antibodies disappeared post treatment. This suggests direct cytotoxic (physical) rather than immunologic effect on these lesions. These data suggest that PDT may be effective palliative treatment for KS and a Phase II study is indicated to determine the duration of response at MTD.

Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*COMPLICATIONS/IMMUNOLOGY Biopsy Dihematoporphyrin Ether/*TOXICITY/THERAPEUTIC USE Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation Edema Light Photochemotherapy/*ADVERSE EFFECTS Pilot Projects Sarcoma, Kaposi's/*DRUG THERAPY/ETIOLOGY/IMMUNOLOGY/PATHOLOGY ABSTRACT CLINICAL TRIAL CLINICAL TRIAL, PHASE I
951230
M95C3223

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