Cutaneous photosensitizing and immunosuppressive effects of a series of tumor localizing porphyrins.

A series of tumor localizing porphyrins was evaluated with respect to their ability to elicit cutaneous photosensitivity and systemic immunosuppression, two of the most common side effects associated with photodynamic therapy. Using the murine ear swelling response as an indicator, it was found that all the non-metalloporphyrins caused cutaneous photosensitization. Immunosuppressive effects were noted using hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) and meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphine if sensitization occurred immediately after photoirradiation, but none were evident using Photofrin II (PII) or meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphine (TCPP). Subsequent studies indicated that PII and TCPP manifested a delayed type immunosuppression similar to that found following UVB photoirradiation. Manganese (III) meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphine, a prototype magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent, was also evaluated because of its reported demetallation in vivo. It was found to cause neither cutaneous photosensitivity nor immunosuppression.