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Andreea Dimofte

Publications and source records attributed to Andreea Dimofte.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

A phase II trial of intraperitoneal photodynamic therapy for patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis and sarcomatosis.

PURPOSE: A previous phase I trial of i.p. photodynamic therapy established the maximally tolerated dose of Photofrin (Axcan Pharma, Birmingham, AL)-mediated photodynamic therapy and showed encouraging efficacy. The primary objectives of this phase II study were to determine the efficacy and toxicities of i.p. photodynamic therapy in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis and sarcomatosis. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Patients received Photofrin 2.5 mg/kg i.v. 48 hours before debulking surgery. Intraoperative laser light was delivered to the peritoneal surfaces of the abdomen and pelvis. The outcomes of interest were (a) complete response, (b) failure-free survival time, and (c) overall survival time. Photosensitizer levels in tumor and normal tissues were measured. RESULTS: One hundred patients were enrolled into one of three strata (33 ovarian, 37 gastrointestinal, and 30 sarcoma). Twenty-nine patients did not receive light treatment. All 100 patients had progressed by the time of statistical analysis. The median failure-free survival and overall survival by strata were ovarian, 2.1 and 20.1 months; gastrointestinal cancers, 1.8 and 11.1 months; sarcoma, 3.7 and 21.9 months. Substantial fluid shifts were observed postoperatively, and the major toxicities were related to volume overload. Two patients died in the immediate postoperative period from bleeding, sepsis, adult respiratory distress syndrome, and cardiac ischemia. CONCLUSIONS: Intraperitoneal Photofrin-mediated photodynamic therapy is feasible but does not lead to significant objective complete responses or long-term tumor control. Heterogeneity in photosensitizer uptake and tumor oxygenation, lack of tumor specificity for photosensitizer uptake, and the heterogeneity in tissue optical properties may account for the lack of efficacy observed.

Adult↗

Updated results of a phase I trial of motexafin lutetium-mediated interstitial photodynamic therapy in patients with locally recurrent prostate cancer.

Locally recurrent prostate cancer after treatment with radiation therapy is a clinical problem with few acceptable treatments. One potential treatment, photodynamic therapy (PDT), is a modality that uses laser light, drug photosensitizer, and oxygen to kill tumor cells through direct cellular cytotoxicity and/or through destruction of tumor vasculature. A Phase I trial of interstitial PDT with the photosensitizer Motexafin lutetium was initiated in men with locally recurrent prostate cancer. In this ongoing trial, the primary objective is to determine the maximally tolerated dose of Motexafin lutetium-mediated PDT. Other objectives include evaluation of Motexafin lutetium uptake from prostate tissue using a spectrofluorometric assay and evaluation of optical properties in the human prostate. Fifteen men with biopsy-proven locally recurrent prostate cancer and no evidence of distant metastatic disease have been enrolled and 14 have been treated. Treatment plans were developed using transrectal ultrasound images. The PDT dose was escalated by increasing the Motexafin lutetium dose, increasing the 732 ran light dose, and decreasing the drug-light interval. Motexafin lutetium doses ranged from 0.5 to 2 mg/kg administered IV 24, 6, or 3 hr prior to 732 ran light delivery. The light dose, measured in real time with in situ spherical detectors was 25-100 J/cm2. Light was delivered via optical fibers inserted through a transperineal brachytherapy template in the operating room. Optical property measurements were made before and after light therapy. Prostate biopsies were obtained before and after light delivery for spectrofluorometric measurements of photosensitizer uptake. Fourteen patients have completed protocol treatment on eight dose levels without dose-limiting toxicity. Grade I genitourinary symptoms that are PDT related have been observed. One patient had Grade II urinary urgency that was urinary catheter related. No rectal or other gastrointestinal PDT-related tox-icities have been observed to date. Measurements of Motexafin lutetium demonstrated the presence of photosensitizer in prostate tissue from all patients. Optical property measurements demonstrated substantial heterogeneity in the optical properties of the human prostate gland which supports the use of individualized treatment planning for prostate PDT.

Adenocarcinoma↗

A method for determination of the absorption and scattering properties interstitially in turbid media.

We have developed a method to quickly determine tissue optical properties (absorption coefficient mu(a) and transport scattering coefficient mu'(s)) by measuring the ratio of light fluence rate to source power along a linear channel at a fixed distance (5 mm) from an isotropic point source. Diffuse light is collected by an isotropic detector whose position is determined by a computer-controlled step motor, with a positioning accuracy of better than 0.1 mm. The system automatically records and plots the light fluence rate per unit source power as a function of position. The result is fitted with a diffusion equation to determine mu(a) and mu'(s). We use an integrating sphere to calibrate each source-detector pair, thus reducing uncertainty of individual calibrations. To test the ability of this algorithm to accurately recover the optical properties of the tissue, we made measurements in tissue simulating phantoms consisting of Liposyn at concentrations of 0.23, 0.53 and 1.14% (mu'(s) = 1.7-9.1 cm(-1)) in the presence of Higgins black India ink at concentrations of 0.002, 0.012 and 0.023% (mu(a) = 0.1-1 cm(-1)). For comparison, the optical properties of each phantom are determined independently using broad-beam illumination. We find that mu(a) and mu'(s) can be determined by this method with a standard (maximum) deviation of 8% (15%) and 18% (32%) for mu(a) and mu'(s), respectively. The current method is effective for samples whose optical properties satisfy the requirement of the diffusion approximation. The error caused by the air cavity introduced by the catheter is small, except when mu(a) is large (mu(a) > 1 cm(-1)). We presented in vivo data measured in human prostate using this method.

Absorption↗

Phase II trial of pleural photodynamic therapy and surgery for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer with pleural spread.

PURPOSE: Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with pleural spread is incurable, with median survival rates ranging from 6 to 9 months. Surgery alone fails to locally control this disease or extend survival beyond the accepted treatment, palliative chemotherapy. METHODS: We conducted a phase II trial to evaluate the effects on local control and survival of combining surgery with intraoperative photodynamic therapy (PDT), a light-based cancer treatment, in patients with NSCLC with pleural spread. Patients received porfimer sodium (2 mg/kg), 24 hours before surgery, at which time all gross tumor was resected and followed by illumination of the hemithorax with 630 nm light to a measured dose of 30 J/cm(2). Photosensitizer levels in tumor and surrounding normal tissue were measured. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients with NSCLC were enrolled; 17 underwent complete debulking and PDT, three underwent partial debulking/PDT, and two patients were unresectable. Local control of pleural disease at 6 months was achieved in 11 of 15 (73.3%; 95% CI, 44.9% to 92.2%) assessable patients. Median overall survival for all 22 patients was 21.7 months (95% CI, 17.7 to 25.8 months). Measured levels of porfimer sodium in tumor were greater than those measured in normal tissues, with ratios ranging from 1.19 to 22.42. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate surgery and PDT can be performed safely with very good local control. The median survival of 21.7 months, calculated from the time of surgery and PDT is encouraging. Further evaluation of this therapy is warranted.

Adult↗

In vivo optical properties of normal canine prostate at 732 nm using motexafin lutetium-mediated photodynamic therapy.

The optical properties (absorption [mu(a)], transport scattering [mu('s)] and effective attenuation [mu(eff)] coefficients) of normal canine prostate were measured in vivo using interstitial isotropic detectors. Measurements were made at 732 nm before, during and after motexafin lutetium (MLu)-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT). They were derived by applying the diffusion theory to the in vivo peak fluence rates measured at several distances (3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 mm) from the central axis of a 2.5 cm cylindrical diffusing fiber (CDF). Mu(a) and mu('s) varied between 0.03-0.58 and 1.0-20 cm(-1), respectively. Mu(a) was proportional to the concentration of MLu.Mu(eff) varied between 0.33 and 4.9 cm(-1) (mean 1.3 +/- 1.1 cm(-1)), corresponding to an optical penetration depth (8 = 1/(mu(eff)) of 0.5-3 cm (mean 1.3 +/- 0.8 cm). The mean light fluence rate at 0.5 cm from the CDF was 126 +/- 48 mW/cm2 (N = 22) when the total power from the fiber was 375 mW (150 mW/cm). This study showed significant inter- and intraprostatic differences in the optical properties, suggesting that a real-time dosimetry measurement and feedback system for monitoring light fluences during treatment should be advocated for future PDT studies. However, no significant changes were observed before, during and after PDT within a single treatment site.

Animals↗

In vivo light dosimetry for motexafin lutetium-mediated PDT of recurrent breast cancer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To measure the fluence at tissue surface for patients in our Phase II clinical trial of motexafin lutetium (MLu)-mediated chest wall photodynamic therapy for recurrent breast carcinoma and to compare it to the calculated irradiance. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: The spatial and time dependence of light fluence (rate) was monitored in vivo on the chest wall surface using isotropic detectors in five patients. Patients were given MLu either 4 mg/kg with light at 18 hours or 5 mg/kg with light at 24 hours using an irradiance of 150 J/cm(2) at 730 nm, with an incident fluence rate of 75 mW/cm(2). The ratio of fluence rate to the incident fluence rate was determined at the center of the treatment field. This ratio was used to estimate the effective attenuation coefficient, mu (eff). RESULTS: The mean and standard deviation of the ratio for all patients was 1.6 +/- 0.2. The corresponding range of mu (eff) was between 0.87 and 2.1 cm(-1), assuming reduced scattering coefficient, mu (s) = 4 cm(-1). CONCLUSIONS: A conversion factor was determined to convert the irradiance to fluence rate on the tissue surface. However, the fluence (or the ratio) on patient surface varied by 70% due to the heterogeneity of optical properties. This supports the use of real-time in vivo dosimetry during photodynamic therapy.

Adult↗

Broadband reflectance measurements of light penetration, blood oxygenation, hemoglobin concentration, and drug concentration in human intraperitoneal tissues before and after photodynamic therapy.

We evaluate Photofrin-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) in a phase 2 clinical trial as an adjuvant to surgery to treat peritoneal carcinomatosis. We extract tissue optical [reduced scattering (mu(s)'), absorption (mu(a)), and attenuation coefficients (mu(eff))] and physiological [blood oxygen saturation (%S(t)O2), total hemoglobin concentration (THC), and photosensitizer concentration (c(Photofrin))] properties in 12 patients using a diffuse reflectance instrument and algorithms based on the diffusion equation. Before PDT, in normal intraperitoneal tissues %S(t)O2 and THC ranged between 32 to 100% and 19 to 263 microM, respectively; corresponding data from tumor tissues ranged between 11 to 44% and 61 to 224 microM. Tumor %S(t)O2 is significantly lower than oxygenation of normal intraperitoneal tissues in the same patients. The mean (+/-standard error of mean) penetration depth (delta) in millimeters at 630 nm is 4.8(+/-0.6) for small bowel, 5.2 (+/-0.67) for large bowel, 3.39(+/-0.29) for peritoneum, 5.19(+/-1.4) for skin, 1.0(+/-0.1) for liver, and 3.02(+/-0.66) for tumor. c(Photofrin) in micromolars is 4.9(+/-2.3) for small bowel, 4.8(+/-2.3) for large bowel, 3.0 (+/-1.0) for peritoneum, 2.5(+/-0.9) for skin, and 7.4(+/-2.8) for tumor. In all tissues examined, mean c(Photofrin) tends to decrease after PDT, perhaps due to photobleaching. These results provide benchmark in-vivo tissue optical property data, and demonstrate the feasibility of in-situ measurements during clinical PDT treatments.

Algorithms↗

Optical properties of human prostate at 732 nm measured in mediated photodynamic therapy.

Characterization of the tissue light penetration in prostate photodynamic therapy (PDT) is important to plan the arrangement and weighting of light sources so that sufficient light fluence is delivered to the treatment volume. The optical properties (absorption [mu(a)], transport scattering [mu(s)'] and effective attenuation [mu(eff)] coefficients) of 13 patients with locally recurrent prostate cancer were measured in situ using interstitial isotropic detectors. Measurements were made at 732 nm before and after motexafin lutetium (MLu)-mediated PDT in four quadrants. Optical properties were derived by applying the diffusion theory to the fluence rates measured at several distances (0.5-5 cm) from a point source. mu(a) and mu(s)' varied between 0.07 and 1.62 cm(-1) (mean 0.37 +/- 0.24 cm(-1)) and 1.1 and 44 cm(-1) (mean 14 +/- 11 cm(-1)), respectively. mu(a) was proportional to the concentration of MLu measured by an ex vivo fluorescence assay. We have observed, on average, a reduction of the MLu concentration after PDT, presumably due to the PDT consumption of MLu. mu(eff) varied between 0.91 and 6.7 cm(-1) (mean 2.9 +/- 0.7 cm(-1)), corresponding to an optical penetration depth (delta = 1/micro(eff)) of 0.1-1.1 cm (mean 0.4 +/- 0.1 cm). The mean penetration depth at 732 nm in human prostate is at least two times smaller than that found in normal canine prostates, which can be explained by a four times increase of the mean value of mu(s)' in human prostates. The mean light fluence rate per unit source strength at 0.5 cm from a point source was 1.5 +/- 1.1 cm(-2), excluding situations when bleeding occurs. The total number of measurements was N = 121 for all mean quantities listed above. This study showed significant inter- and intraprostatic differences in the optical properties, suggesting that a real-time dosimetry measurement and feedback system for monitoring light fluences during treatment should be considered for future PDT studies.

Humans↗

Interstitial fluorescence spectroscopy in the human prostate during motexafin lutetium-mediated photodynamic therapy.

The in vivo fluorescence emission from human prostates was measured before and after motexafin lutetium (MLu)-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT). A single side-firing optical fiber was used for both the delivery of 465 nm light-emitting diode excitation light and the collection of emitted fluorescence. It was placed interstitially within the prostate via a closed transparent plastic catheter. Fitting of the collected fluorescence emission spectra using the known fluorescence spectrum of 1 mg/kg MLu in an intralipid phantom yields a quantitative measure of the local MLu concentration. We found that an additional correction factor is needed to account for the reduction of the MLu fluorescence intensity measured in vivo due to strong optical absorption in the prostate. We have adopted an empirical correction formula given by C = (3.1 cm(-1)/micro's) exp (microeff x 0.97 cm), which ranges from approximately 3 to 16, with a mean of 9.3 +/-4.8. Using a computer-controlled step motor to move the probe incrementally along parallel tracks within the prostate we can determine one-dimensional profiles of the MLu concentration. The absolute MLu concentration and the shape of its distribution are confirmed by ex vivo assay and by diffuse absorption measurements, respectively. We find significant heterogeneity in photosensitizer concentration within and among five patients. These variations occur over large enough spatial scales compared with the sampling volume of the fluorescence emission that mapping the distribution in three dimensions is possible.

Humans↗