Clinical photodynamic therapy of head and neck cancers—A review of applications and outcomes

Allison, R.R.; Cuenca, R.E.; Downie, G.H.; Camnitz, P.; Brodish, B.; Sibata, C.H.

doi:10.1016/S1572-1000(05)00092-X

« Previous Next »Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy
Volume 2, Issue 3 , Pages 205-222, September 2005

Clinical photodynamic therapy of head and neck cancers—A review of applications and outcomes

R.R. Allison
- PDT Center, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, NC 27858, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
R.E. Cuenca
- PDT Center, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, NC 27858, USA
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, USA
G.H. Downie
- PDT Center, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, NC 27858, USA
- Department of Medicine, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, USA
P. Camnitz
- East Carolina ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
B. Brodish
- East Carolina ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
C.H. Sibata, PhD
- PDT Center, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, NC 27858, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 252 744 2900; fax: +1 252 744 2812.

published online 19 September 2005.

Summary

As local control is tantamount to cure in head and neck cancer, an aggressive regimen of surgery and radiation remains the standard of care for most patients. Despite significant technical advances, these treatments are highly morbid. Further, patients who fail treatment have limited salvage options.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photodiagnosis (PD) of head and neck cancer offer significant potential for improved outcomes in a myriad of clinical indications ranging from in situ to recurrent disease. However, despite promising results, these modalities remain at the fringe of head and neck treatment options.

Photofrin^®, Photosan and Foscan^® are photosensitizers used clinically in head and neck PD/PDT. In addition, aminolevulinic acid (ALA), which gives origin to Protoporphyrin IX, an endogeneous photosensitizer, is also used for PD/PDT. We review the clinical literature on these photosensitizers to assist in the integration of these important modalities into the mainstream of head and neck oncological therapy.

Keywords: Head and neck cancer, Photodiagnosis, Photodynamic therapy, Photofrin^®, Photosan, Foscan^®, Outcome