Hematoporphyrin is a photosensitizer.1 Hematoporphyrin (3 μM) increases oxygen consumption and decreases the respiratory control ratio (RCR) in irradiated isolated rat liver mitochondria.2 It induces DNA breaks in cell-free assays, but not in human HeLa cervical cancer cells, in a light-dependent manner when used at a concentration of 6 μM.3 Hematoporphyrin (12 μM) decreases the survival of irradiated, but not non-irradiated, HeLa cells. Hematoporphyrin (5 mg/kg) decreases growth of subcutaneous Yoshida AH-130 hepatoma tumors in rats when administered with radiation.4
1.Kessel, D.Hematoporphyrin and HPD: Photophysics, photochemistry and phototherapyPhotochem. Photobiol.39(6)851-859(1984) 2.Salet, C., and Moreno, G.Photodynamic effects of haematoporphyrin on respiration and calcium uptake in isolated mitochondriaInt. J. Radiat. Biol. Relat. Stud. Phys. Chem. Med.39(2)227-230(1981) 3.Egyeki, M., Tóth, K., Waldeck, W., et al.DNA damaging capability of hematoporphyrin towards DNAs of various accessibilitiesJ. Photochem. Photobiol. B.84(2)119-127(2006) 4.Tomio, L., Zorat, P.L., Corti, L., et al.Effect of hematoporphyrin and red light on AH-130 solid tumors in ratsActa. Radiol. Oncol.22(1)49-53(1983)