Possibility and challenge of cancer therapy using combination products with drug and device-insight from experiences of investigator-initiated clinical trial for malignant brain tumors by photodynamic therapy using talaporfin and PDT laser

In modern medicine, many numbers and kinds of combination products have increased dramatically. Typical examples of combination products are a drug-eluting stent, a bactiseal catheter, and a photodynamic therapy for cancer treatments. The photodynamic therapy is a minimally invasive, and double targeting therapy that we inject a photosensitizer targeting cancer cells and irradiate a laser around or to the cancer locally. In 2007, we started an investigator-initiated clinical trial of the photodynamic therapy using a Talaporfin and a laser, to expand indication of malignant brain tumors in addition to early lung cancers. In 2013, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has approved the photodynamic therapy for malignant brain tumors. We here describe the experiences of the trial and the future direction about another combination product of a sonodynamic therapy using a drug and a focused high-intensity ultrasound.