First clinical results with a new drug for PDT

After experimental investigation clinical trials of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with the new photosensitizer Photosens -- (AL-sulphonated phthalocyanine) -- have been started. Four patients (with basal cell carcinoma, sarcoma Kaposi and early stage lung cancer) were treated by PDT. After an intravenous injection of drug in dose 2.0 mg/kg b.w. tumors were exposed to frequency-doubled radiation of Nd:yttrium aluminate laser (670 nm) with power densities from 80 to 200 mW/sq cm and total energies up to 2144 J. Immunological and clinical observations of patients are performed. First results indicate the high efficacy of the new drug as a tumor photosensitizer.