Porfimer

This page contains recent news articles, when available, and an overview of Porfimer but does not offer medical advice. You should contact your physician with regard to any health issues or concerns.

Overview:

Porfimer (when available)

Pharmacology and use:
Porfimer is a photosensitizing agent used in the photodynamic therapy (PDT) of tumors. Porfimer is indicated for the palliation of patients with completely obstructing esophageal cancer, or of patients with partially obstructing esophageal cancer who cannot be satisfactorily treated with Nd:YAG laser therapy, reduction of obstruction and palliation of symptoms in patients with completely or partially obstructing endobronchial nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and the treatment of microinvasive endobronchial NSCLC in patients for whom surgery and radiotherapy are not indicated. The cytotoxic and antitumor actions of Porfimer are light and oxygen dependent. Tumor selectivity in treatment occurs through a combination of selective retention of Porfimer and selective delivery of light. Indicated in the treatment of esophageal cancer.

Mechanism Of Action:
Cellular damage caused by Porfimer is a consequence of the propagation of radical reactions. Radical initiation may occur after Porfimer absorbs light to form a porphyrin excited state. Spin transfer from Porfimer to molecular oxygen may then generate singlet oxygen. Subsequent radical reactions can form superoxide and hydroxyl radicals. Tumor death also occurs through ischemic necrosis secondary to vascular occlusion that appears to be partly mediated by thromboxane A2 release.

News Articles on Porfimer

Combining liver cancer treatments doubles survival rates, UVA ...  -  Apr 15, 2008
Photodynamic Therapy treatment uses a photosensitizing agent (porfimer sodium in this study) which is activated using light of a specific wavelength, EurekAlert (press release),

New Guidelines Issued for Treatment of Barrett's Esophagus  -  Mar 27, 2008
Using sodium porfimer as a sensitizer, 30 nanometer red light, and photoradiating balloons, the technique was shown in a prospective, randomized, MedPage Today,

Combined Stenting And Photodynamic Therapy Improves Survival In ...  -  12 Mar 2008
In the group receiving combined therapy, the photodynamic agent (porfimer sodium, a commonly used agent) was injected and activated, and plastic stents were Science Daily (press release)

Iran produces anti cancer drug  -  Nov 4, 2007
Iranian researchers at Isfahan Drug Research Center have applied blood cells to produce an anticancer drug named 'porfimer sodium'. PRESS TV,

Interventional Bronchoscopy  -  Mar 30, 2007
EndoNurse,The most common agent used is Photofrin® (porfimer). The standard dose is 2 mg/kg injected slowly over five to 10 minutes. The drug is usually cleared from

Photodynamic therapy uses light, drug to prevent esophageal cancer  Jul 27, 2006
..."Prevention of the future development of cancer in that area," Sharma said. First, Sharma intravenously injects a drug called porfimer sodium. ... -San Antonio Express (subscription)

Surgery and Photodynamic Therapy in Treating Patients With ...  May 12, 2006
Patients receive porfimer sodium IV over 5-10 minutes on day 1. Patients undergo pleurectomy or pleuropneumonectomy followed by intracavitary photodynamic ... - Community Dispatch

Brand Names/Synonyms:
Porfimer is also known by the following brand names and/or synonymsDHE; Dhp Ether; Dihematoporphyrin Ether; Photofrin; Porfimer; Porfimer Sodium

Drug Category:
Porfimer is categorized under the following by the FDA: Dermatologic Agents; Antivirals; Antineoplastic Agents; ATC:L01XD01

Dosage Forms:
POWDER FOR SOLUTION

Absorption:
Not Available

Interactions:
Interactions for Porfimer:

There have been no formal interaction studies of PHOTOFRIN^® and any other drugs. However, it is possible that concomitant use of other photosensitizing agents (e.g., tetracyclines, sulfonamides, phenothiazines, sulfonylurea hypoglycemia agents, thiazide diuretics, and griseofulvin) could increase the photosensitivity reaction.

PHOTOFRIN^® PDT causes direct intracellular damage by initiating radical chain reactions that damage intracellular membranes and mitochondria. Tissue damage also results from ischemia secondary to vasoconstriction, platelet activation and aggregation and clotting. Research in animals and in cell culture has suggested that many drugs could influence the effects of PDT, possible examples of which are described below. There are no human data that support or rebut these possibilities.

Compounds that quench active oxygen species or scavenge radicals, such as dimethyl sufloxide, b-carotene, ethanol, formate and mannitol would be expected to decrease PDT activity. Preclinical data also suggest that tissue ischemia, allopurinol, calcium channel blockers and some prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors could interfere with PHOTOFRIN^® PDT. Drugs that decrease clotting, vasoconstriction or platelet aggregation, e.g., thromboxane A₂ inhibitors, could decrease the efficacy of PDT. Glucocorticoid hormones given before or concomitant with PDT may decrease the efficacy of the treatment.

Chemical IUPAC Name:
Not Available

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