Topical photodynamic therapy of murine non-melanoma skin carcinomas with aluminum phthalocyanine chloride and a diode laser: pharmacokinetics, tumor response and cosmetic outcomes.

School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece. chmaria@central.ntua.gr

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) is potentially useful for the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer and other skin diseases. We investigated the therapeutic effects of PDT using topical application of aluminum phthalocyanine chloride (AlClPc) and a diode laser emitting at 670 nm in murine non-melanoma skin carcinomas. METHODS: AlClPc solution (0.7% w/v) was applied to tumors in mice for 1-6 h. The penetration depth and the optimum drug-light interval were assessed using pharmacokinetic studies. Then, PDT was performed on a murine model of non-melanoma skin cancer using seven different combinations of therapeutic parameters (fluence rate and energy dose). RESULTS: Pharmacokinetic studies revealed that AlClPc was absorbed 40 times more and penetrated 19 times deeper in tumors than normal skin. PDT using AlClPc (0.7% w/v) and a diode laser (75 mW/cm(2), 150 J/cm(2)) resulted in complete tumor remission in 60% of the mice, excellent cosmetic outcomes and growth retardation of tumors with partial remission. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that AlClPc-PDT is an effective treatment for non-melanoma skin carcinomas in experimental mouse models.

PMID: 18353089 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]