Photodynamic therapy of human ovarian epithelial carcinoma, OVCAR-3, heterotransplanted in the nude mouse

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to develop an animal model for the study of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of human ovarian epithelial carcinoma. STUDY DESIGN: The human ovarian carcinoma OVCAR-3 was heterotransplanted into nude, athymic mice and treated with photodynamic therapy consisting of the hematoporphyrin derivative Photofrin II 10 ng/kg and argon-pumped dye laser light at 630 nm (200 J/cm2). Growth of tumors on one side of seven mice (treated tumors, n = 7) was compared with contralaterallurnors (control tumors, n = 8) not exposed to laser. Hematoporphyrin derivative uptake was determined in tumor and other tissues. RESULTS: Photodynamically treated tumors were completely ablated, and all remained absent. Hematoporphyrin derivative uptake was nonselective for tumor compared with other tissues. CONCLUSION: This model provides reproducible parameters for the study of photodynamic therapy In the treatment of gyneoologic malignancies and demonstrates the need for methods to increase selective uptake of hematoporphyrin derivatives. (AM J OBSTET GYNECOl 1992;167:1852-5.)