Effect of bleaching of porphyrin sensitizers during photodynamic therapy.

Cells of the line NHIK 3025 were incubated with the tumor-localizing porphyrin preparation DHE (Photofrin II). Exposure of light within the porphyrin absorption spectrum resulted in a change of the fluorescence spectra indicative of a movement of porphyrins from binding sites on proteins to more lipid environments, a degradation of the porphyrins in the cells without any significant formation of new porphyrin species. The photodegradation of the porphyrins resulted in a reduced yield of inactivation of cells per incident photon. Several independent estimations indicate that bleaching may play a role in clinical situations.