Salvage Photodynamic Therapy Using Talaporfin Sodium for Local Failure of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background Talaporfin sodium photodynamic therapy (TS-PDT) for local failure after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma has recently been reported to be highly effective and less invasive, compared to other treatment modalities. TS-PDT was recently introduced at the Tottori University Hospital, Japan. The aim of this study is to clarify the efficacy and safety of PDT in our hospital. Methods This was a single-center observational study. We examined eight cases of TS-PDT performed between January 2016 and December 2019. The main endpoints were local complete remission (L-CR) rate and the adverse events. In addition, age, gender, histology, tumor location, TNM stage, tumor depth, irradiation dose, and overall survival (OS) were examined. Results The patients included 7 men and a woman, with an average age of 72.1 years (range 63-82 years). The baseline clinical stages before CRT or radiotherapy were stage I in 1, stage II in 3, stage III in 3, and stage IVA in 1 patient. The T stage on endoscopic assessment before TS-PDT was T1 in 6 patients and T2 in 2 patients. Treatment outcomes and adverse events were evaluated. There were no treatment-related deaths, and no significant adverse events occurred intraoperatively or postoperatively. The L-CR rate was 7/8 (87.5%); T1 cases had 100% (6/6) L-CR, while T2 cases had 50% (1/2). The 2-year OS rates were 87%. Conclusion TS-PDT was observed to be safe and effective in the first eight cases of its application following its introduction in our hospital.

Automated summary

Talaporfin sodium photodynamic therapy (TS-PDT) has been shown to be highly effective and less invasive for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients with local failure after chemoradiotherapy. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PST in Tottori University Hospital, Japan. Results showed that TS-PDT was safe and effective in the first eight cases, with a high L-CR rate of 87.5% and a 2-year OS rate of 87%.