Vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy with TOOKADA® Soluble in localized prostate cancer: standardization of the procedure

Vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy with TOOKAD(A (R)) Soluble is an innovative focal therapy procedure assessed in localized prostate cancer treatment. This mini-invasive technique destroys targeted tissues using a photosensitizer [TOOKAD(A (R)) Soluble (WST11), STEBA Biotech] activated by laser light in the presence of oxygen. Its application for prostate cancer requires intravenous infusion of TOOKAD(A (R)) Soluble and the illumination of the targeted area by transperineal optical fibers inserted under trans-rectal ultrasound guidance under general anesthesia. Based on the experience gained through hundreds of procedures, we describe here the standardized technique of vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy with TOOKAD(A (R)) Soluble defined during the phase II and III trials.