Photodynamic and Sonodynamic Therapy, Experiences with a Novel Approach

JNK/Ak
Masters/JNK Papers/ Photodynamic and Sonodynamic Therapy – A Novel Approach
October 2007

Photodynamic and Sonodynamic Therapy, Experiences with a Novel Approach.

Introduction

I have been asked to write a paper on our experiences and methods and also results, in our use of a novel approach to Photodynamic Therapy. This is something we have been developing for several years, together with two other clinics, Dr X Wang, Chief of Oncology Department, Friendship Hospital, Guangzhou, China and also the Opal Clinic, Melbourne, Australia under the direction of Dr Douglas Mitchell. The reason why all three clinics developed this approach is that we are all faced with late stage cancer patients who have been through all the conventional treatment modalities, and are practically all metastatic cancers. We therefore have an interest in a safe approach to tumour cell destruction, however in all of these patients the approach is fundamentally palliative. Our results have been encouraging leading to relevant conclusions outlined in the last section of this paper. Over the past three years our clinic (The Dove Clinic for Integrated Medicine) has treated over 80 patients, the Opal Clinic has treated slightly less, and Dr Wang in Guangzhou has treated more than this number. This paper is not a formal clinical trial, it is a preliminary report. I therefore thought it best to discuss five cases fairly typical of the kind of cases on which we use this palliative approach. The use of our novel approach centres around the development of a specific sensitizer (Sonalux 1) this is a highly purified mixture of several chlorins, each with a different side chain. This agent has been shown to break down at 636 nanometres and also to be sensitive to ultrasound.
.........

Source

Primary clinical use of sonodynamic therapy (SDT) for advanced breast cancer

Sub-category: New Systemic Agents – Cytotoxics

Category: Treatment Meeting:

2008 Breast Cancer Symposium


Abstract No: 194

Author(s): T. J. Lewis, X. Wang

Abstract:

Background: Sonodynamic therapy (SDT), the synergistic effect of drugs and ultrasound, is promising for cancer treatment. A new sonosensitizing agent has been developed that is derived from chlorophyll, is sensitive to red light, and is extremely sensitive to ultrasound. This agent is specifically absorbed in tumor cells and produces cytotoxic moities upon interaction with 'diagnostic' ultrasound. Animal studies show that SDT inhibits growth of mouse S-180 sarcoma. Here we report clinical data for SDT for advanced breast cancer on 20 patients. Patients were considered late stage with metastasized carcinomas. Prior to SDT treatment, all patients had undergone convention therapies but received no benefit. Methods: All patients had pathologically proven breast carcinomas. The SDT agent was given to patients sublingually with a total dose of 30 to 60mg. After 24h, ultrasound was used to irradiate the general area of the tumors. Sound application was repeated one and two weeks later. Results: ~90% of patients treated experienced a positive response to SDT therapy. 35% experienced "excellent" responses with marked tumor elimination and alleviation of symptoms that was tracked for >1 year, eg. "Case 1." 30% experienced "good" responses also with tumor diminution and symptom relief, eg. "Case 2." Case 1 had left breast carcinoma with multi-organ metastases including auxiliary lymph nodes, bones, liver and abdomen lymph nodes. After 2 treatments PET/CT scan showed good PR. The latest PET/CT taken 28 months after the treatment showed no signs of tumor in any cavity of the body. Case 2 had breast carcinoma which spread broadly. The patient had surgery, chemo, RT, hormone, trastuzumab, zoledronic acid, etc, but all failed. The tumor kept growing until the patient had high-level paraplegia, breath failure, and heart failure. After 3 SDT treatments the patient's symptom improved significantly. Windpipe spile, gastric and urine catheter were all taken off. PET/CT scan showed a partial response. The patient died 7 months later. Conclusions: Primary clinical data shows that SDT is well tolerated and has a significant therapeutic effect for patients with advanced breast cancer. Terminally ill patient can be treated safely and effectively. Sonodynamic therapy has significant merit for further investigation.

Source

194 - SonneMed, LLC
Source