ABSTRACT
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has investigated innovative trials of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of malignancies since 1986. The collaboration of several sections within the intramural program of the Division of Cancer Treatment has ensured that all disciplines necessary for the in-depth analysis of these patients were involved. Thus far, clinical and experimental PDT at the National Cancer Institute, with few exceptions, has used Photofrin II (PII). With use of the clonogenic cell survival assay, multiple cell lines, including Chinese hamster ovary cells and a variety of normal lung and lung cancer cells, have been assayed for PDT sensitivity. Parallel with the interest in delivering PDT to intra-abdominal viscera was the desire to use this treatment for pleural malignancies. A Phase I study of PDT in the management of pleural malignancies began in June of 1990 at NCI to complement the abdominal experience.
