Sonodynamic therapy with photofrin II on AH130 solid tumor: Pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and sonodynamic antitumoral efficacy of photofrin II

Background: The pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of photofrin II (PF) and its efficacy in sonodynamic therapy were studied in rats bearing AH130 solid tumors. Materials and methods: In order to find the optimum timing of the ultrasound exposure after administration of PF, the PF concentrations in plasma, skin, muscle and tumor were measured and pharmacokinetically analyzed. Antitumor effects were estimated by measuring tumor size. Results: Since the highest concentration of PF in tumors occurred 24 h after administration, ultrasound administration 24 h after the intravenous administration of PF was chosen. Ultrasound alone showed a slight antitumor effect, which became increasingly significant as the dose of PF was increased, while PF alone showed no significant effect. Conclusions: PF significantly sensitized solid tumors to the antitumor effect of ultrasound in a synergistic manner.