Photodynamic therapy with chloroaluminum sulfonated phthalocyanine in the rat window chamber

Article Abstract:

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) can be used for cancers that are resistant to other more conventional therapy. Photodynamic therapy destroys cancer by interrupting the tumor vasculature (blood supply) and as a result of photochemical reaction it produces unstable oxygen molecules that cause cellular oxidation and death. The currently used photosensitizer is dihematoporphyrin ether/ester (DHE). This compound causes the patient's skin to become extremely sensitive to light, and patients who under go treatment must remain indoors up to six weeks after treatment. A new substance being considered for use in photodynamic therapy is chloroaluminum sulfonated phthalocyanine (CASP), a compound activated by light. CASP appears to improve the theoretical depth of tissue penetration and it does not seem to cause any significant photosensitivity. A study was carried out on 12 rats in order to evaluate the direct vascular effects of CASP on a non-tumor vascular system. Six rats received CASP treatment and six were controls. The rats received photoactivation with light 24 hours after CASP. There were significant vascular changes after treatment with CASP-PDT. The control groups did not show significant changes. It was found that the main response of the vessels to CASP-PDT was vessel spasm and contraction. It is concluded that CASP may have advantages over DHE. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Research, Physiological aspects, Light, Photosensitizing compounds, Photosensitizing agents

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Treatment is promising for autoimmune disorders; photochemotherapy studied

Article Abstract:

Treatment of systemic sclerosis and other autoimmune disorders by photopheresis has been studied at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. After six months of treatment, results were compared to patients treated with an antirheumatic, D-penicillamine. Improvement was shown in area of skin involvement, oral aperture and hand closure by the group treated with extracorporeal photochemotherapy. However, researchers pointed out the high cost of these treatments.

Care and treatment, Autoimmune diseases, Systemic scleroderma, Scleroderma (Disease)

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Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin (Visudyne) for macular degeneration

Article Abstract:

Visudyne can be injected into the eye as a treatment for macular degeneration. When activated by light, the drug creates free radicals that damage the abnormal blood vessels that cause many forms of macular degeneration.

Product/Service Evaluation, Drug therapy, Retinal degeneration, Visudyne (Medication)

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