Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy with Chlorine-Based Photosensitizer in the Treatment of Basal Cell Carcinomas

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate a safety and antitumor efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with chlorine-based photosensitizer (PS) for treatment patients with basal cell skin carcinomas (BCC).

Material and Methods: The work was performed on the basis of the Department of hyperthermia and photodynamic therapy. The object of the study were 172 patients with a verified diagnosis of BCC (T1N0M0, I stage), who received treatment from 2007 to 2022. PS «Photolon» (RUE «Belmedpreparaty», Republic of Belarus) was administrated intravenously at a dose of 2.0-2.5 mg/kg. The session of PDT was performed 2.5-3 h after intravenous injection of PS using semiconductor lasers (λ=660±5 nm) with exposure doses 50-250 J/cm² and power density – 0.15-0.5 W/cm². Frequency and severity of side effects after treatment session was assessed based on the criteria CTCAE (Version 4.03; 2010). The antitumor efficacy was evaluated 3 months after treatment. Clinical outcome was evaluated visually and morphologically by cytological or histopathological examination. Performance criteria were as follows (according to WHO, 1979).

Results: The phenomenon of skin phototoxicity due to violation of the light regime (hyperemia, burning, slight swelling of the soft tissues of the face; CTCAE, I-II grades) was registered in 5.8% of cases (n=10). Serious adverse reactions (anaphylactic shock, Quincke's edema, severe pain syndrome) after the administration of PS and photoirradiation were not identified. Complete and partial regressions of tumors was observed in 93.0% and 4.7% of patients, respectively. The objective answer was 97.7%. The frequency of local relapses of the disease 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years after PDT was 3.1%, 3.1%, 4.6%, 4.6% and 6.9%, respectively.

Сonclusion: PDT is a well-tolerated and highly effective therapeutic option in patients with BCC.