INTRAOPERATIVE PHOTOTHERAPY - A COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF INTRAVENOUS AND TOPICAL PHOTOFRIN-II AND AMINOLEVULINIC ACID

This study compares the systemic and topical application of photofrin II and aminolevulinic acid as an intraoperative adjuvant therapy in th e C3H mouse radiation-induced fibrosarcoma model. Dose-development and time-dependent studies were first conducted followed by intraoperativ e phototherapy studies with photofrin II and aminolevulinic acid. Stud y results clearly show that intraoperative phototherapy after aminolev ulinic acid topical application is significantly more effective than t reatment with photofrin II given intravenously or topically (p < 0.05) in this animal tumor model. The concept of topical application of pho tosensitizers and the rationale for intraoperative adjuvant photothera py are discussed.