A pilot assay of interstitial photodynamic therapy with high-power laser system BioSpec® in a syngeneic breast cancer model

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a new technique that has already been applied to several types of cancer, which combines a photosensitizer, light and oxygen. Interstitial PDT is based on intra-tumor light delivery using laser fibers inserted via needle. In this work, the fiber TF-N09 and the high-power laser system BIOSPEC® were tested in a syngeneic breast cancer mouse model. Results obtained in this work indicates that the irradiation causes necrosis in both groups, a group treated with pre-photosensitizer and a non-treated group. Also, the maximum potency usable with this device was 500mW, since at a higher power the needle reached temperatures above 37 °C.