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Systemically injected hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) in combination with red laser light (630 nm) was used to treat a patient with intraepithelial neoplasia of the vulva. Since the patient had psoriasis in the mons pubis area this region also was exposed to the red light. The psoriasis treatment area was divided into two regions receiving 40 and 20 J/cm2. Both psoriatic zones responded vigorously to the HPD + light treatment, forming eschars by 1 week postirradiation. All three treatment zones (the neoplastic area and the two psoriatic areas) underwent normal reepithelialization by 17 days.

Two patients were treated at 20 different tumor sites by hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) photoradiation therapy (PRT). An infrared detector was used to record changes in surface temperature during laser exposure. A temperature rise of up to 4.9 degrees C was recorded for a total energy of 15-30 J/cm2 and less than 150 mW/cm2. For 508 mW/cm2 and 15-20 J/cm2 a temperature rise of 7.0 degrees C was detected. The results suggest a possible role of hyperthermia in HPD-PRT.

A program of photoradiation therapy (PRT) of cancer employing the sensitizing agent Hematoporphyrin Derivative (HPD) was begun at UC, Irvine in May, 1981. We have used light obtained from a laser source to initiate the photochemical reaction required for tumor destruction. Initially a four-watt argon laser was used to pump a tunable dye laser emitting light at 630 nm. The system has been upgraded by adding a 12-watt argon laser (Spectra-Physics, Mt. View, CA).

Two sets of tables are presented that permit the rapid determination of (1) milliwatts per centimeter2 based upon known site diameter and power output from fiber optic and (2) time of exposure (minutes and seconds) based upon known site diameter and power output from fiber optic.