Selective tumor kill of cerebral glioma by photodynamic therapy using a boronated porphyrin photosensitizer

Abstract

The prognosis for patients with the high-grade cerebral glioma glioblastoma multiforme is poor. The median survival for primary tumors is <12 months, with most recurring at the site of the original tumor, indicating that a more aggressive local therapy is required to eradicate the unresectable 'nests' of tumor cells invading into adjacent brain. Two adjuvant therapies with the potential to destroy these cells are porphyrin- sensitized photodynamic therapy (PDT) and boron-sensitized boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). The ability of a boronated porphyrin, 2,4-(α,β- dihydroxyethyl)deuteroporphyrin IX tetrakiscarborane carboxylate ester (BOPP), to act as a photosensitizing agent was investiga..