II. Indications
- Barrett's Esophagus (high grade dysplasia)
- Airway obstructive lesions (palliative)
- Esophageal Cancer
- Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (endobronchial)
III. Mechanism
- Porfimer Sodium is a polymer mix of interlinked, photosensitizing Porphyrins
- Porfimer is selectively absorbed and retained by specific tumor cells
- Porfimer is activated when exposed to 630 nm wavelength light (typically via laser therapy)
- On activation, Porfimer releases oxygen radicals that are toxic to their containing tumor cells
- Also induces local vascular Occlusion (mediated by Thromboxane A2), resulting in tumor tissue necrosis
IV. Medications
- Porfimer IV solution 75 mg vial
V. Dosing
- See other references for disease specific dosing protocols
- After infusion, laser therapy (630 nm) is used to activate Porfimer in specific regions
VI. Safety
- Avoid in Lactation
- Avoid in pregnancy (all trimesters)
- Use reliable Contraception
VII. Adverse Effects
- Drug-induced Photosensitivity
- Eye Sensitivity
- Chest Pain
- Shortness of Breath
- Constipation
VIII. Drug Interactions
- Photosensitizers (avoid in combination)
IX. Resources
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Related Studies
Definition (NCI_NCI-GLOSS) | A drug used to treat some types of cancer. When absorbed by cancer cells and exposed to light, porfimer sodium becomes active and kills the cancer cells. It is a type of photodynamic therapy agent. |
Definition (NCI) | The sodium salt of a mixture of oligomers formed by ether and ester linkages of up to eight porphyrin units with photodynamic activity. Absorbed selectively by tumor cells, porfimer produces oxygen radicals after activation by 630 nm wavelength laser light, resulting in tumor cell cytotoxicity. In addition, tumor cell death may occur due to ischemic necrosis secondary to vascular occlusion that appears to be partly mediated by the release of thromboxane A2. |
Definition (PDQ) | A synthetic derivative of hematoporphyrin with photodynamic properties. Absorbed selectively by tumor cells, porfimer produces oxygen radicals after activation by laser light, resulting in cytotoxicity. Check for "http://www.cancer.gov/Search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?id=40294&idtype=1" active clinical trials or "http://www.cancer.gov/Search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?id=40294&idtype=1&closed=1" closed clinical trials using this agent. ("http://nciterms.nci.nih.gov:80/NCIBrowser/ConceptReport.jsp?dictionary=NCI_Thesaurus&code=C1071" NCI Thesaurus) |
Concepts | Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Organic Chemical (T109) |
MSH | D017323 |
SnomedCT | 108820004, 386921007 |
English | PORFIMER SODIUM, repigmentation agents porfimer sodium, porfimer sodium (medication), porfimer sodium, Porfimer sodium (product), Porfimer sodium, Porfimer sodium (substance), Porfimer Sodium |
German | Porfimer-Natrium |
Spanish | porfímero sódico (producto), porfímero sódico (sustancia), porfímero sódico |