This phase I trial studies the side effects and best dose of silicon phthalocyanine 4 and photodynamic therapy in treating patients with stage IA-IIA cutaneous T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses a drug, silicon phthalocyanine 4, that becomes active when it is exposed to a certain kind of light. When the drug is active, cancer cells are killed. This may be effective against cutaneous T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Funding Source - FDA OOPD

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. Determine the safety and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) that can be utilized for a single treatment of Pc 4-PDT (silicon phthalocyanine 4 photo dynamic therapy) on subjects with mycosis fungoides (MF)/cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) stage IA-IIA, by evaluating an accelerated dose escalation protocol consisting of a single exposure to PDT using topically-applied Pc 4 and visible light at a wavelength of 675 nm, followed by assessment of skin biopsies to analyze cellular and molecular changes induced by Pc 4-PDT. (Cohort I)

II. Determine safety and tolerability of repeated light (PDT) exposures after a single application of Pc 4 to a MF/CTCL plaque, using topically-applied Pc 4 and visible light at a wavelength of 675nm, followed by assessment of skin biopsies to analyze cellular and molecular changes induced by Pc 4-PDT. (Cohort II)

III. Identification of targets for assessment of efficacy to assist in planning for a Phase II study.

OUTLINE: This is a dose-escalation study.

Patients receive silicon phthalocyanine 4 topically and then undergo PDT.

After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up at 24 hours, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 30 days.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosed with early stage MF (CTCL stage IA-IIA)
• Has at least 2 evaluable plaques
• Has been off systemic therapies for at least 4 weeks
• Has been off topical therapies for at least 2 weeks
• Has been off phototherapies for at least 2 weeks
• All skin photo-types will be included
• Subjects must have the ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent form
• Women of child-bearing potential must agree to utilize a birth control which results in a failure rate of less that 1% per year during the study; accepted forms of birth control for this study include: injections such as Depo-Provera and Lunelle, implants such as Norplant, and intra-uterine devices
• Sexually active males must agree to use a medically acceptable form of birth control for the duration of the study and for at least 3 months after the last dose of the study medication; appropriate birth control methods are using a condom with a spermicide or surgical sterilization

Exclusion Criteria:

• Active history of photosensitivity (e.g. xeroderma pigmentosum, lupus erythematosus, porphyria, severe polymorphous light eruption, solar urticaria)
• Any medical condition that could be aggravated or may cause extreme discomfort during the study period
• Lesions only on the face, scalp or other sites that would make biopsies not cosmetically acceptable
• Women of childbearing potential who are pregnant or attempting to become pregnant are excluded from this study
• History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to silicon phthalocyanine (Pc 4) or other agents used in this study
• Patients with uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements