Talaporfin is a photosensitizer.1 It induces apoptosis, DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in TE-11R 5-fluorouracil-resistant esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells when used at a concentration of 30 ?g/ml in combination with radiation.2 Talaporfin (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg) in combination with photodynamic therapy (PDT) reduces tumor growth in a TE-11R ESCC mouse xenograft model. Formulations containing talaporfin have been used as photosensitizers in PDT for the treatment of endobronchial cancer.
1.Dennis, E.J., Dolmans, G.J., Fukumura, D., et al.Photodynamic therapy for cancerNature31-8(2003) 2.Ohashi, S., Kikuchi, O., Tsurumaki, M., et al.Preclinical validation of talaporfin sodium-mediated photodynamic therapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinomaPLoS One9(8)e103126(2014)