2-[1-hexyloxyethyl]-2-devinyl pyropheophorbide-a (HPPH) in a nude rat glioma model: Implications for photodynamic therapy

Background and Objective: In this study, we evaluated 2-[1-hexyloxyethyl]-2-devinyl pyropheophorbide-α (HPPH or Photochlor) as a photosensitizer for the treatment of malignant gliomas by photodynamic therapy (PDT). Study Design/Materials and Methods: We performed in vivo reflection spectroscopy in athymic rats to measure the attenuation of light in normal brain tissue. We also studied HPPH pharmacokinetics and PDT effects in nude rats with brain tumors derived from stereotactically implanted U87 human glioma cells. Rats implanted with tumors were sacrificed at designated time points to determine the pharmacokinetics of HPPH in serum, tumor, normal brain, and brain adjacent to tumor (BAT). HPPH concentrations in normal brain, BAT and tumor were determined using fluorescence spectroscopy. Twentyfour hours after intravenous injection of HPPH, we administered interstitial PDT treatment at a wavelength of 665 nm. Light was given in doses of 3.5, 7.5 or 15 J/cm at the tumor site and at a rate of 50 mW/cm. Results: In vivo spectroscopy of normal brain tissue showed that the attenuation depth of 665 nm light is ∼30% greater than that of 630 nm light used to activate Photofrin, which is currently being evaluated for PDT as an adjuvant to surgery for malignant gliomas. The t1/2 of disappearance of drug from serum and tumor was 25 and 30 hours, respectively. Conclusion: Twenty-four hours after injection of 0.5 mg/kg HPPH, tumor-to-brain drug ratios ranged from 5: 1 to 15: 1. Enhanced survival was observed in each of the HPPH/PDT-treated animal groups. These data suggest that HPPH may be a useful adjuvant for the treatment of malignant gliomas. Lasers Surg. Med. 29:397-405, 2001.