Clinical trials of photodynamic therapy of malignant brain tumors

摘要

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a local treatment for malignment tumors. In a phase 2 trial in patients with supratentorial gliomas treated with 2 mg/kg Photofrin i.v. and intraoperative cavitary PDT, we were able to conclude that PDT was safe in patients with either newly diagnosed or recurrent supratentorial malignant gliomas. There appears to be prolongation of survival in selected patients when an adequate light dose is used. The surgical mortality rate was less than 3 percent.