Is there a difference in survival after photodynamic therapy of bile duct cancer depending on the sensitizer?

Introduction: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has shown significant survival benefit in non-resectable bile duct cancer. Two different hematoporphyrin derivatives (HPD) are today in clinical use as photosensitizers, Photofrin II (PF2) and Photosan-3 (PS3). Apart from their variations in chemical structure, little is known about potential differences in clinical performance. We retrospectively evaluated the effectiveness and complication rate of both HPDs in the treatment of patients with advanced bile duct cancer. Methods: In treatment group A we used Photosan-3 (2mg/kg body weight) as photosensitizer, in group B we…