Enhancement of lutetium texaphyrin phototherapy with Mitomycin C

Lutetium texaphyrin (Lu-Tex) photodynamic therapy (PDT) relies on the presence of the water-soluble Lu-Tex, oxygen, and light (activation around 730 nm). Cytotoxic oxygen species are produced that cause irreversible damage to biological substrates. Damage may be inflicted via direct cell kill mechanisms or through vasculature effects that cause hypoxia. The addition of hypoxia enhanced drugs, such as Mitomycin C (MMC), can potentially increase the anti-tumor response. RIF-1 bearing C3H mice received 10 micrometers ol Lu-Tex/kg and were illuminated with 100 J/cm2 3 hours postinjection. Mice received MMC (2.5 or 5 mg/kg, before and after light) in conjunction with PDT and were compared to subsets of drug alone controls. A significant improvement in PDT response was observed when MMC was added to the dosing regimen; the effect was more pronounced at the highest MMC dose of 5 mg/kg: MMC prior to PDT gave a median tumor regrowth time (10X original volume) of 28 days compared to MMC and PDT alone, 16.3 and 14.9 days, respectively. The anti-tumor activity of lutetium texaphyrin induced PDT was improved by the addition of the bioreductive alkylating agent mitomycin C.