Authors' objectives:

This study aims to assess the effectiveness of porfimer sodium photodynamic therapy for high-grade dysplasia of Barrett's oesophagus.

Authors' recommendations: Porfimer sodium (PhotoBarr(R)) is an antineoplastic photosensitising agent for use in ablative photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of high-grade dysplasia of Barrett's oesophagus. Results from an unpublished phase III trial (n=208), two uncontrolled prospective studies (n=60-73) and several retrospective case reviews (n=21-34) are available. Complete ablation of high-grade dysplasia was observed in 72% of patients in the PDT treatment group in the phase III trial. In addition a statistically significant trend toward cancer reduction in patients in the PDT group compared to controls was observed after a minimum two-year follow-up. This therapy is currently available for late-stage non-small cell lung cancer and palliation in oesophageal cancer in the UK.

Authors' methods: Overview

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2003

URL for published report: http://www.hsric.nihr.ac.uk/search

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England, United Kingdom

Organisation Name: NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre

Contact Address: The NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre, Department of Public Health, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics, School of Health and Population Sciences, University of Birmingham, 90 Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2SP. United Kingdom. Tel: +44 121 414 7831, Fax: +44 121 2269

Contact Name: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Contact Email: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Copyright: National Horizon Scanning Centre (NHSC)