Hematoporphyrin derivative photoradiation induced damage to normal and tumor tissue of the pigmented rabbit eye.

Cytotoxicity induced by hematoporphyrin derivative (HpD) photoradiation in both normal and experimental tumor tissue of pigmented rabbit eyes has been examined. In addition, documentation of HpD induced fluorescence in ocular structures has also been obtained. Acute normal ocular tissue toxicity studies demonstrated that HpD (1-10 mg HpD/kg) followed 48 hours later by a transpupil irradiation of red light (635 nm, 36-90 J/cm2) resulted in demarcated areas of retinal damage. Long term (chronic) toxicity studies have shown that the initial damage to the retina was permanent but that no damage to the cornea, lens or vitreous could be observed during a 16 month follow-up. Visual and histological documentation have been obtained, following HpD photoradiation therapy (PRT), in rabbit eyes having heterotransplanted single nodule amelanotic melanomas. A toxic effect characterized by tumor blanching, edema and hemorrhage was observed within 24 hours of treatment. Histological examination obtained 24 hours following HpD PRT illustrated massive tumor tissue necrosis and vascular disruption. HpD PRT at clinically relevant doses was also shown to be effective in selectively curing the highly malignant amelanotic iris melanoma. It is concluded that HpD PRT may prove to be an effective modality for treating certain ocular tumors.