HPPH is a chlorin that acts as a photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy (PDT) when stimulated with light at 655 nm. When administered systemically, HPPH accumulates in tumor cells and, when stimulated with light in the presence of oxygen, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated, leading to necrosis within the tumor. HPPH, at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg, increases survival in a nude rat model of glioma. It works synergistically with gemcitabine in several pancreatic cancer cell lines to induce cell death.
