Porfimer

Description

Porfimer sodium, a polyporphyrin derivative, is a photosensitizer introduced for the treatment of refractory lung, bladder, and esophageal cancers. Porfimer sodium treatment with photodynamic therapy inhibits or stops recurrence of superficial bladder cancer tumors. In patients with inoperable early stage lung cancer, use of porfimer sodium prior to argon dye laser treatment produced complete response in >6O% of carcinomas. It also has potential for the treatment of cervical dysplasia, atherosclerosis, and psoriasis.

Originator

Quadra Logic (Canada )

Uses

Fluorescent imaging of malignancies.

brand name

Photofrin (Axcan Scandipharm).