Photodynamic Therapy to Treat Actinic Damage in Patients With Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) of the Lip

A Clinical Trial of ALA Photodynamic Therapy for Treatment of Actinic Cheilitis in Patients With Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Lip.

Our study is designed to evaluate the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for treatment of actinic cheilitis (AC) and as an adjunct to Mohs surgery for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) on the lips. This study will utilize an FDA approved PDT modality (DUSA, Inc., Wilmington, MA 01887) using topical 5-amino-levulinic acid (ALA) for photosensitization followed by exposure to a Blu-U light source emitting 405-420nm wavelength light.

BACKGROUND:

SCC of the lip is commonly surrounded by extensive AC, which may affect part or all of the lip vermillion. While Mohs surgical technique with complete margin control is the preferred treatment for SCC at critical locations such as the lip, this technique is complicated by surrounding AC. AC and SCC in situ at the tumor edge make it difficult to achieve margins clear of dysplasia and as a result extra tissue beyond the invasive SCC often needs to be excised to ensure that the entire tumor is removed.

Non-surgical treatments when used alone to treat SCC give lower cure rates than surgical removal, and thus are not recommended as they place the subject at risk for recurrence and metastatic disease. Although one study reported high SCC clearance rates with PDT alone (24/25 SCCs histologically cleared), recurrence of 2 SCCs occurred and a metastasis to a LN was seen in one patient. (Kubler et al.)

Given that PDT has been shown to have significant efficacy for actinic keratoses and actinic cheilitis but is inadequate as primary treatment of lip SCC, we propose that PDT may be a useful adjunct to surgical resection, allowing for less extensive surgery after the dysplasia is addressed with PDT and potentially a lower recurrence rate. Although imiquimod and 5-FU are also used to treat cutaneous dysplasia, many favor PDT treatment due to its greater tolerability, shorter healing time, and more predictable host response.

There is significant data on the efficacy of PDT for treatment of actinic keratoses (AKs) and PDT is now FDA approved for treatment of AKs. (Piacquadio et al). Data on PDT for treatment of AC is much more limited, but small studies and case reports do indicate successful treatment of AC with regimens utilizing either topical 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), or a similar compound, methylaminopentanoate (MAL). The largest study with 5-ALA reports complete clinical clearance in 13/19 patients treated with 1 to 3 treatments of ALA plus Pulsed-dye laser (Alexiades). Sotiriou et al report that with two PDT treatments 8/10 patients had complete clinical and histologic clearance (Sotiriou). Case reports indicate similar success (Kodama; Stender). Efficacy has also been shown with MAL PDT. One study found that with two sessions of MAL + red light PDT complete histologic/ clinical clearance was seen in 7/15 cases of AC and partial clearance was seen in an additional 7/15 (Berking et al). Smaller studies and case reports have shown even higher response rates without clinical recurrence during short-term follow-up (Rossi et al; Hauschild et al). We have chosen 5-ALA plus blue light for PDT treatment in this study because it is FDA approved for treatment of AKs and ALA is available in the United States.

Specific Aims:

1. To determine whether pre-operative treatment of the lips with ALA PDT can reduce the size of post-surgical defects (scars) in subjects with AC and lip SCC
2. To determine whether ALA PDT applied to the lips can effectively clear actinic cheilitis (AC) and SCC in-situ (SCC-is) of the lip.
3. To assess the tolerability of ALA PDT for treatment of AC and SCC-is of the lips

Inclusion Criteria:

• Biopsy proven squamous cell carcinoma of the lip
• Greater than 50% of lip affected by actinic cheilitis by physical exam at time of initial evaluation.
• Patients > 18 years of age
• Patients must be able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with history of photosensitivity
• Patients with medical conditions associated with photosensitivity, such as cutaneous porphyria or a collagen vascular disease
• Patients taking medications known to cause photosensitivity (tetracyclines, sulfonamides, phenothiazines, sulfonylurea hypoglycemic agents, thiazide diuretics, griseofulvin, and fluoroquinolones)
• Patients with hypersensitivity to porphyrins.
• Women who are pregnant or nursing
• No exclusion based on gender or race
• Patients who have received anti-neoplastic treatment such as imiquimod or 5-FU to the lips within 30 days of enrolling in this study.
• Patients simultaneously participating in another research study for management of SCC or actinic cheilitis
• Subjects that plan to use other forms of AC treatment prior to Mohs.
• Subjects that have an SCC requiring urgent (and sooner) Mohs surgery, including those tumors that are large (> 2cm or at the discretion of the Principle Investigator) and those subjects that are pregnant or have palpable lymph nodes.