Photodynamic Therapy Using Talaporfin Sodium for Local Failure after Chemoradiotherapy or Radiotherapy for Esophageal Cancer: A Single Center Experience

A phase II study of second-generation photodynamic therapy (PDT) using talaporfin sodium has shown excellent treatment results for esophageal cancer with local failure after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) or radiotherapy (RT). However, only a few studies have reported this therapy in clinical practice. This study aimed to confirm the efficacy and safety of salvage PDT using talaporfin sodium for esophageal cancer in various clinical situations. Twelve patients with esophageal cancer with local failure after definitive CRT or RT who underwent PDT using talaporfin sodium were enrolled from April 2016 to January 2020. Overall, 10 patients (83.3%) achieved a local complete response. No skin phototoxicity was observed, but esophageal stricture occurred in five patients (41.7%). Esophageal stricture was improved with endoscopic balloon dilation in all patients, and subsequent analysis found no significant factors causing esophageal stricture after PDT. Two patients with synchronous tumors were successfully rescued by combination therapy with endoscopic submucosal dissection. Two patients with carcinoma in situ of larger than 1/2 circumference were rescued by repeated PDT. The 2-year overall survival was 80.0% (95% confidence interval 0.409–0.946). PDT using talaporfin sodium was an effective and safe salvage treatment for esophageal cancer with local failure after CRT or RT in various clinical situations.