[Development of a novel photosensitizer, talaporfin sodium, for the photodynamic therapy (PDT)].

Recently, in Japan, a novel photosensitizer, talaporfin sodium was developed for the photodynamic therapies of various diseases including malignant tumors. At the same time, a diode laser device, Panalas 6405, to be used for this therapy was developed. Talaporfin was first extracted and refined from plant chlorophyll and was found that the skin photosensitivity caused by drug disappeared faster than the existing photosensitizer. Clinically, in the patients with early lung cancer, the complete response was obtained in 85.7% of the lesions (36/42 lesions) by the administration of 40 mg/m2 followed by laser irradiation at 100 J/cm2 4-6 hours later. The sensitivity disappeared mostly within 2 weeks.