Interstitial photodynamic laser therapy for liver metastases: First results of a clinical phase I-study

Purpose: Development and evaluation of a new photodynamic treatment technique for the laser therapy of liver malignancies Material and Methods: The combination with new catheter systems enables the use of the photodynamic therapy (PDT) to treat also tumors in parenchymal organs. So far it is mainly used to treat superficial or endoluminal tumors. The presented study is part of a multicenter phase I-study. We treated 5 patients with colorectal liver metastases with the new photosensitizer SQN 400 and following interstitial photodynamic laser treatment. Evaluation of tumors Were performed by contrastenhanced CT scans. Results: In the contrast enhanced CT scans the development of a complete necrosis within a radius of 1 cm around every single fibre could be shown. Additional the ablation of tumors with the combined use of several fibres is possible. Severe complications or toxicities were not observed. Conclusion: The photodynamic laser therapy of liver malignancies is a minimal invasive procedure With little side effects which produces sharply defined yet small volumes of necrosis.