A Phase I Study Of Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) For The Treatment Of Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): A Drug/Light Dose Finding Study Utilizing 2-(1-HEXYLOXYETHYL)-2-DEVINYL PYROPHEOPHORBIDE-A (HPPH-PHOTOCLOR)
A Phase I Study Of Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) For The Treatment Of Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): A Drug/Light Dose Finding Study Utilizing 2-(1-HEXYLOXYETHYL)-2-DEVINYL PYROPHEOPHORBIDE-A (HPPH-PHOTOCLOR)
RATIONALE: Photodynamic therapy uses light and drugs that make cancer cells more sensitive to light to kill tumor cells. Photosensitizing drugs such as HPPH are absorbed by cancer cells and, when exposed to light, become active and kill the cancer cells.
PURPOSE: Phase I trial to study the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy with HPPH in treating patients who have basal cell skin cancer.
OBJECTIVES:
OUTLINE: This is a dose-escalation study.
Patients receive HPPH IV on day 1. Patients undergo phototherapy on days 2-3.
Cohorts of 2-6 patients receive escalating doses of HPPH and phototherapy to determine the minimum erythemal dose (MED). The MED is defined as the dose combination of HPPH and laser light preceding that at which at least 1 patient experiences grade 3 or worse toxicity or at which at least 2 patients experience grade 1 or worse toxicity.
Patients are followed daily for 4 days, at week 1, and at months 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24.
PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 4-25 patients will be accrued for this study.
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
Histologically confirmed non-morpheaform basal cell skin cancer
At least 4 lesions, no greater than 2 cm in diameter and no greater than 5 mm in depth
No lesions located on the eyelid, nose, ear, periauricular area, genitals, or digits, or any other lesions thought to be deep and/or aggressive
PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
Age:
Performance status:
Life expectancy:
Hematopoietic:
Hepatic:
Renal:
Cardiovascular:
Other:
PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
Biologic therapy:
Chemotherapy:
Endocrine therapy:
Radiotherapy:
Surgery: