Photofrin

Description

PHOTOFRIN (porfimer sodium) for Injection is a photosensitizing agent used in the photodynamic therapy (PDT) of tumors and of high-grade dysplasia (HGD) in Barrett’s esophagus (BE). Following reconstitution of the freeze-dried product with 5% Dextrose Injection (USP) or 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection (USP), it is injected intravenously. This is followed 40–50 hours later by illumination of the tumor or the esophageal segment with HGD in BE with laser light (630 nm wavelength). PHOTOFRIN (porfimer sodium) is not a single chemical entity; it is a mixture of oligomers formed by ether and ester linkages of up to eight porphyrin units. It is a dark red to reddish brown cake or powder. Each vial of PHOTOFRIN contains 75 mg of porfimer sodium as a sterile freeze-dried cake or powder. Hydrochloric Acid and/or Sodium Hydroxide may be added during manufacture to adjust the pH to within 7.2-7.9. There are no preservatives or other additives. The structural formula below is representative of the components present in PHOTOFRIN (porfimer sodium) .

Figure 1 : Structure of Porfimer Sodium

 

Indications

Esophageal Cancer

PHOTOFRIN^® is indicated for the palliation of patients with completely obstructing esophageal cancer, or of patients with partially obstructing esophageal cancer who, in the opinion of their healthcare provider, cannot be satisfactorily treated with Nd:YAG laser therapy.

Endobronchial Cancer

PHOTOFRIN is indicated for the treatment of microinvasive endobronchial non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients for whom surgery and radiotherapy are not indicated.

PHOTOFRIN is indicated for the reduction of obstruction and palliation of symptoms in patients with completely or partially obstructing endobronchial NSCLC.

High-Grade Dysplasia In Barrett’s Esophagus

PHOTOFRIN is indicated for the ablation of high-grade dysplasia in Barrett’s esophagus patients who do not undergo esophagectomy.

Dosage And Admintisration

Important Administration Instructions

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with PHOTOFRIN is a two-stage process requiring administration of both drug and light. The first stage of PDT is the intravenous injection of PHOTOFRIN at 2 mg/kg. Illumination with laser light 40–50 hours following injection with PHOTOFRIN constitutes the second stage of therapy. A second laser light application may be given 96-120 hours after injection [see PHOTOFRIN].

In clinical studies on endobronchial cancer, debridement via endoscopy was required 2-3 days after the initial light application. Standard endoscopic techniques are used for light administration and debridement. Healthcare providers should be fully familiar with the patient’s condition and trained in the safe and efficacious treatment of esophageal or endobronchial cancer, or high-grade dysplasia (HGD) in Barrett’s esophagus (BE) using PDT with PHOTOFRIN and associated light delivery devices. PDT with PHOTOFRIN should be applied only in those facilities properly equipped for the procedure.

The laser system must be approved for delivery of a stable power output at a wavelength of 630 ± 3 nm. Light is delivered to the tumor by cylindrical OPTIGUIDE™ fiber optic diffusers passed through the operating channel of an endoscope/bronchoscope. Instructions for use of the fiber optic and the selected laser system should be read carefully before use. OPTIGUIDE™ cylindrical diffusers are available in several lengths. The choice of diffuser tip length depends on the length of the tumor or Barrett’s mucosa to be treated. Diffuser length should be sized to avoid exposure of nonmalignant tissue to light and to prevent overlapping of previously treated malignant tissue. Refer to the OPTIGUIDE™ instructions for use for complete instructions concerning the fiber optic diffuser.

PHOTOFRIN

Recommended Dosage

The recommended dosage of PHOTOFRIN is 2 mg/kg of body weight administered as a single slow intravenous injection over 3 to 5 minutes.

Preparation And Administration

Reconstitute each vial of PHOTOFRIN with 31.8 mL of either 5% Dextrose Injection (USP) or 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection (USP), resulting in a final concentration of 2.5 mg/mL. Shake well until dissolved. Do not mix PHOTOFRIN with other drugs in the same solution. Discard unused portion.

PHOTOFRIN reconstituted with 5% Dextrose Injection (USP) or with 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection (USP), has a pH in the range of 7 to 8. PHOTOFRIN has been formulated with an overage to deliver the 75 mg labeled quantity. The reconstituted product should be protected from bright light and used immediately. Reconstituted PHOTOFRIN is an opaque solution, in which detection of particulate matter by visual inspection is extremely difficult. Reconstituted PHOTOFRIN however, like all parenteral drug products, should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration whenever solution and container permit.

Management Of Extravasation

Precautions should be taken to present extravasation at the injection site. If extravasation occurs, care must be taken to protect the area from light. There is no known benefit from injecting the extravasation site with another substance.

Photoactivation

Esophageal Cancer

Initiate 630 nm wavelength laser light delivery to the patient 40-50 hours following injection with PHOTOFRIN. A second laser light treatment may be given as early as 96 hours or as late as 120 hours after the initial injection with PHOTOFRIN. No further injection of PHOTOFRIN should be given for such retreatment with laser light. Before providing a second laser light treatment, the residual tumor may be debrided. The debridement is optional since the residua will be removed naturally by peristaltic action of the esophagus. Vigorous debridement may cause tumor bleeding.

Photoactivation of PHOTOFRIN is controlled by the total light dose delivered. In the treatment of esophageal cancer, a light dose of 300 Joules/cm (J/cm) of diffuser length should be delivered. The total power output at the fiber tip is set to deliver the appropriate light dose using exposure times of 12 minutes and 30 seconds. For the treatment of esophageal cancer, patients may receive a second course of PDT a minimum of 30 days after the initial therapy; up to three courses of PDT (each separated by a minimum of 30 days) can be given. Before each course of treatment, patients with esophageal cancer should be evaluated for the presence of a tracheoesophageal or bronchoesophageal fistula [see CONTRAINDICATIONS]. All patients should be evaluated for the possibility that the tumor may be eroding into a major blood vessel [see CONTRAINDICATIONS].

Endobronchial Cancer

Initiate 630 nm wavelength laser light delivery to the patient 40–50 hours following injection with PHOTOFRIN. A second laser light treatment may be given as early as 96 hours or as late as 120 hours after the initial injection with PHOTOFRIN. No further injection of PHOTOFRIN should be given for such retreatment with laser light. Before providing a second laser light treatment, the residual tumor should be debrided. Vigorous debridement may cause tumor bleeding. For endobronchial tumors, debridement of necrotic tissue should be discontinued when the volume of bleeding increases, as this may indicate that debridement has gone beyond the zone of the PDT effect.

Photoactivation of PHOTOFRIN is controlled by the total light dose delivered. In the treatment of endobronchial cancer, a light dose of 200 J/cm of diffuser length should be delivered. The total power output at the fiber tip is set to deliver the appropriate light dose using exposure times of 8 minutes and 20 seconds. For noncircumferential endobronchial tumors that are soft enough to penetrate, interstitial fiber placement is preferred to intraluminal activation, since this method produces better efficacy and results in less exposure of the normal bronchial mucosa to light. It is important to perform a debridement 2 to 3 days after each light administration to minimize the potential for obstruction caused by necrotic debris [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

For the treatment of endobronchial cancer, patients may receive a second course of PDT a minimum of 30 days after the initial therapy; up to three courses of PDT (each separated by a minimum of 30 days) can be given. In patients with endobronchial lesions who have recently undergone radiotherapy, sufficient time (approximately 4 weeks) should be allowed between the therapies to ensure that the acute inflammation produced by radiotherapy has subsided prior to PDT [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. All patients should be evaluated for the possibility that the tumor may be eroding into a major blood vessel [see CONTRAINDICATIONS].

High-Grade Dysplasia (HGD) In Barrett’s Esophagus (BE)

Prior to initiating treatment with PHOTOFRIN PDT, the diagnosis of HGD in BE should be confirmed by an expert GI pathologist. Approximately 40-50 hours after PHOTOFRIN administration light should be delivered by a X-Cell Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) Balloon with Fiber Optic Diffuser. The choice of fiber optic/balloon diffuser combination will depend on the length of Barrett’s mucosa to be treated (Table 1).

TABLE 1. Fiber Optic Diffuser/Balloon Combination^a

Treated Barrett’s Mucosa Length (cm)	Fiber Optic Diffuser Length (cm)	Balloon Window Length (cm)
6-7	9	7
4-5	7	5
1-3	5	3
a Whenever possible, the BE segment selected for treatment should include normal tissue margins of a few millimeters at the proximal and distal ends

 

Photoactivation is controlled by the total light dose delivered. The objective is to expose and treat all areas of HGD and the entire length of BE. The light dose administered will be 130 J/cm of diffuser length using a centering balloon. Based on the randomized clinical study, acceptable light intensity for the balloon/diffuser combinations range from 200-270 mW/cm of diffuser length.

To calculate the light dose, the following specific light dosimetry equation applies for all fiber optic diffusers:

 

Light Dose (J/cm) =

Power Output From Diffuser (W) x Treatment Time (s) Diffuser Length (cm)

 

Table 2 provides the settings that will be used to deliver the dose within the shortest time (light intensity of 270 mW/cm). A second option (light intensity of 200 mW/cm) has also been included where necessary to accommodate lasers with a total capacity that does not exceed 2.5 W.

TABLE 2. Fiber Optic Power Outputs and Treatment Times Required to Deliver 130 J/cm of Diffuser Length Using the Centering Balloon

Balloon Window Length (cm)	Fiber Optic Diffuser Length (cm)	Light Intensity (mW/cm)	Required Power output from Diffusera (mW)	Treatment Time
				(sec)	(min:sec)
3	5	270	1 350	480	8:00
5	7	270	1 900	480	8:00
7	9	270	2 440	480	8:00
		200	1 800	480	10:50
Note: No more than 1.5 times the required diffuser power output should be needed from the laser. If more than this is required, the system should be checked. a As measured by immersing the diffuser into the cuvet in the power meter and slowly increasing the laser power.

 

Short fiber diffusers (≤2.5 cm) are to be used to pretreat nodules with 50 J/cm of diffuser length prior to regular balloon treatment in the first laser light session or for the treatment of “skip” areas (i.e., an area that does not show sufficient mucosal response) after the first light session. For this treatment, the fiber optic diffuser is used without a centering balloon, and a light intensity of 400 mW/cm should be used. For nodule pretreatment and treatment of skipped areas, care should be taken to minimize exposure to normal tissue as it is also sensitized. Table 3 lists appropriate fiber optic power outputs and treatment times using a light intensity of 400 mW/cm.

TABLE 3. Short Fiber Optic Diffusers to be Used Without a Centering Balloon to Deliver 50 J/cm of Diffuser Length at a Light Intensity of 400 mW/cm

Fiber Optic Diffuser Length (cm)	Required Power Output From Diffusera (mw)	Treatment Time (sec)	Treatment Time (min:sec)
1.0	400	125	2:05
1.5	600	125	2:05
2.0	800	125	2:05
2.5	1000	125	2:05
Note: No more than 1.5 times the required diffuser power output should be needed from the laser. If more than this is required, the system should be checked. a As measured by immersing the diffuser into the cuvet in the power meter and slowly increasing the laser power.

 

A maximum of 7 cm of esophageal mucosa is treated at the first light session using an appropriate size of centering balloon and fiber optic diffuser (Table 1). Whenever possible, the segment selected for the first light application should contain all the areas of HGD. Also, whenever possible, the BE segment selected for the first light application should include normal tissue margin of a few millimeters at the proximal and distal ends.\

Nodules are to be pretreated at a light dose of 50 J/cm of diffuser length with a short (≤2.5 cm) fiber optic diffuser placed directly against the nodule followed by standard balloon application as described above.

Repeat Light Application

A second laser light application may be given to a previously treated segment that shows a “skip” area, using a short, ≤2.5 cm, fiber optic diffuser without centering balloon at the light dose of 50 J/cm of the diffuser length. Patients with BE >7 cm, should have the remaining untreated length of Barrett’s epithelium treated with a second PDT course at least 90 days later.

The treatment regimen is summarized in Table 4.

TABLE 4. High-Grade Dysplasia in Barrett’s Esophagus

Procedure	Study Day	Light Delivery Devices	Treatment Intent
PHOTOFRIN	Day 1	NA	Uptake of photosensitizer
Laser Light Application	Day 3a	3, 5 or 7 cm balloon (130 J/cm)	Photoactivation
Laser Light Application (Optional)	Day 5	Short (≤2.5 cm) fiber optic diffuser (50 J/cm)	Treatment of “skip” areas only
NA: Not Applicable a Discrete nodule will receive an initial light application of 50 J/cm (using a short fiber optic diffuser without balloon) before the balloon light application.

 

For the ablation of HGD in BE, patients may receive an additional course of PDT at a minimum of 90 days after the initial therapy; up to three courses of PDT (each injection separated by a minimum of 90 days) can be given to a previously treated segment which still shows HGD, low-grade dysplasia, or Barrett’s metaplasia, or to a new segment if the initial Barrett’s segment was >7 cm in length. Both residual and additional segments may be treated in the same light session(s) provided that the total length of the segments treated with the balloon/ diffuser combination is not greater than 7 cm. In the case of a previously treated esophageal segment, if it has not sufficiently healed and/or histological assessment of biopsies is not clear, the subsequent course of PDT may be delayed for an additional 1-2 months.

How Supplied

Dosage Forms And Strengths

For Injection

75 mg of porfimer sodium as a lyophilized powder in a single-dose vial for reconstitution

Storage And Handling

PHOTOFRIN (porfimer sodium) for Injection is supplied as a lyophilized powder as follows:

NDC 76128-155-75, 75 mg single-dose vial.

Storage

Store at Controlled Room Temperature 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Temperature].

Spills And Disposal

Spills of PHOTOFRIN should be wiped up with a damp cloth. Skin and eye contact should be avoided due to the potential for photosensitivity reactions upon exposure to light; use of rubber gloves and eye protection is recommended. All contaminated materials should be disposed of in a polyethylene bag in a manner consistent with local regulations.

Accidental Exposure

PHOTOFRIN is neither a primary ocular irritant nor a primary dermal irritant. However, because of its potential to induce photosensitivity, PHOTOFRIN might be an eye and/or skin irritant in the presence of bright light. It is important to avoid contact with the eyes and skin during preparation and/or administration. As with therapeutic overdosage, any overexposed person must be protected from bright light.

Distributed by: Pinnacle Biologics, Inc., 2801 Lakeside Drive, Suite 210 Bannockburn, IL 60015. Revised: December 2019

Overall Adverse Reaction Profile

Systemically induced effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with PHOTOFRIN (porfimer sodium) consist of photosensitivity and mild constipation. All patients who receive PHOTOFRIN (porfimer sodium) will be photosensitive and must observe precautions to avoid sunlight and bright indoor light [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. Photosensitivity reactions occurred in approximately 20% of cancer patients and in 69% of high-grade dysplasia (HGD) in Barrett’s esophagus (BE) patients treated with PHOTOFRIN (porfimer sodium) . Typically these reactions were mostly mild to moderate erythema but they also included swelling, pruritus, burning sensation, feeling hot, or blisters. In a single study of 24 healthy subjects, some evidence of photosensitivity reactions occurred in all subjects. Other less common skin manifestations were also reported in areas where photosensitivity reactions had occurred, such as increased hair growth, skin discoloration, skin nodule, skin wrinkling and increased skin fragility. These manifestations may be attributable to a pseudoporphyria state (temporary drug-induced cutaneous porphyria).

Most toxicities of this therapy are local effects seen in the region of illumination and occasionally in surrounding tissues. The local adverse reactions are characteristic of an inflammatory response induced by the photodynamic effect.

A few cases of fluid imbalance have been reported in patients treated with PHOTOFRIN (porfimer sodium) PDT for overtly disseminated intraperitoneal malignancies. Fluid imbalance is an expected PDT-related event.

A case of cataracts has been reported in a 51 year-old obese man treated with PHOTOFRIN (porfimer sodium) PDT for HGD in BE. The patient suffered from a PDT response with development of a deep esophageal ulcer. Within two months post PDT, the patient noted difficulty with his distant vision. A thorough eye examination revealed a change in the refractive error that later progressed to cataracts in both eyes. Both of his parents had a history of cataracts in their 70s. Whether PHOTOFRIN (porfimer sodium) directly caused or accelerated a familial underlying condition is unknown.

Adverse Reactions in Clinical Trials

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

Esophageal Carcinoma

The following adverse reactions were reported over the entire follow-up period in at least 5% of patients treated with PHOTOFRIN (porfimer sodium) PDT, who had completely or partially obstructing esophageal cancer. Table 6 presents data from 88 patients who received the currently marketed formulation. The relationship of many of these adverse reactions to PDT with PHOTOFRIN (porfimer sodium) is uncertain.

TABLE 6: Adverse Reactions Reported in 5% or More of Patients^a with Obstructing Esophageal Cancer

SYSTEM ORGAN CLASS/ Adverse Reaction	N=88 n (%)
Patients with at Least One Adverse Reaction	84 (95)
BLOOD and LYMPHATIC SYSTEM DISORDERS
Anemia	28 (32)
CARDIAC DISORDERS
Atrial fibrillation	9 (10)
Cardiac failure	6 (7)
Tachycardia	5 (6)
GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS
Constipation	21 (24)
Nausea	21 (24)
Abdominal pain	18 (20)
Vomiting	15 (17)
Dysphagia	9 (10)
Esophageal edema	7 (8)
Hematemesis	7 (8)
Dyspepsia	5 (6)
Esophageal stenosis	5 (6)
Diarrhea	4 (5)
Esophagitis	4 (5)
Eructation	4 (5)
Melena	4 (5)
GENERAL DISORDERS & ADMINISTRATION SITE CONDITIONS
Pyrexia	27 (31)
Chest pain	19 (22)
Pain	19 (22)
Edema peripheral	6 (7)
Asthenia	5 (6)
Chest pain (substernal)	4 (5)
Edema generalized	4 (5)
INFECTIONS and INFESTATIONS
Candidiasis	8 (9)
Urinary tract infection	6 (7)
INJURY, POISONING and PROCEDURAL COMPLICATIONS
Post procedural complication	4 (5)
INVESTIGATIONS
Weight decreased	8 (9)
METABOLISM AND NUTRITION DISORDERS
Anorexia	7 (8)
Dehydration	6 (7)
MUSCULOSKELETAL and CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISORDERS
Back pain	10 (11)
NEOPLASMS BENIGN, MALIGNANT and UNSPECIFIED
Tumor hemorrhage	7 (8)
PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
Insomnia	12 (14)
Confusional state	7 (8)
Anxiety	6 (7)
RESPIRATORY, THORACIC and MEDIASTINAL DISORDERS
Pleural effusion	28 (32)
Dyspnoea	18 (20)
Pneumonia	16 (18)
Pharyngitis	10 (11)
Respiratory insufficiency	9 (10)
Cough	6 (7)
Tracheoesophageal fistula	5 (6)
SKIN and SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE DISORDERS
Photosensitivity reaction	17 (19)
VASCULAR DISORDERS
Hypotension	6 (7)
Hypertension	5 (6)
a Based on adverse reactions reported at any time during the entire period of follow-up.

 

Location of the tumor was a prognostic factor for three adverse reactions: upper-third of the esophagus (esophageal edema), middle-third (atrial fibrillation), and lower-third, the most vascular region (anemia). Also, patients with large tumors ( > 10 cm) were more likely to experience anemia. Two of 17 patients with complete esophageal obstruction from tumor experienced esophageal perforations, which were considered to be possibly treatment-associated; these perforations occurred during subsequent endoscopies.

Serious and other notable adverse reactions observed in less than 5% of PDT-treated patients with obstructing esophageal cancer in the clinical studies include the following; their relationship to therapy is uncertain. In the gastrointestinal system, esophageal perforation, gastric ulcer, ileus, jaundice, and peritonitis have occurred. Sepsis has been reported occasionally. Cardiovascular reactions have included angina pectoris, bradycardia, myocardial infarction, sick sinus syndrome, and supraventricular tachycardia. Respiratory reactions of bronchitis, bronchospasm, laryngotracheal edema, pneumonitis, pulmonary hemorrhage, pulmonary edema, respiratory failure, and stridor have occurred. The temporal relationship of some gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and respiratory reactions to the administration of light was suggestive of mediastinal inflammation in some patients. Vision-related reactions of abnormal vision, diplopia, eye pain and photophobia have been reported.

Obstructing Endobronchial Cancer

Table 7 presents adverse reactions that were reported over the entire follow-up period in at least 5% of patients with obstructing endobronchial cancer treated with PHOTOFRIN (porfimer sodium) PDT or Nd:YAG. These data are based on the 86 patients who received the currently marketed formulation. Since it seems likely that most adverse reactions caused by these acute acting therapies would occur within 30 days of treatment, Table 7 presents those reactions occurring within 30 days of a treatment procedure, as well as those occurring over the entire follow-up period. It should be noted that follow-up was 33% longer for the PDT group than for the Nd:YAG group, thereby introducing a bias against PDT when adverse reaction rates are compared for the entire follow-up period. The extent of follow-up in the 30-day period following treatment was comparable between groups (only 9% more for PDT).

Transient inflammatory reactions in PDT-treated patients occur in about 10% of patients and manifest as pyrexia, bronchitis, chest pain, and dyspnoea. The incidences of bronchitis and dyspnoea were higher with PDT than with Nd:YAG. Most cases of bronchitis occurred within 1 week of treatment and all but one were mild or moderate in intensity. The reactions usually resolved within 10 days with antibiotic therapy. Treatment-related worsening of dyspnoea is generally transient and self-limiting. Debridement of the treated area is mandatory to remove exudate and necrotic tissue. Life-threatening respiratory insufficiency likely due to therapy occurred in 3% of PDT-treated patients and 2% of Nd:YAG-treated patients [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

There was a trend toward a higher rate of fatal massive hemoptysis (FMH) occurring on the PDT arm (10%) versus the Nd:YAG arm (5%), however, the rate of FMH occurring within 30 days of treatment was the same for PDT and Nd:YAG (4% total events, 3% treatment-associated events). Patients who have received radiation therapy have a higher incidence of FMH after treatment with PDT and after other forms of local therapy than patients who have not received radiation therapy, but analyses suggest that this increased risk may be due to associated prognostic factors such as having a centrally located tumor. The incidence of FMH in patients previously treated with radiotherapy was 21% (6/29) in the PDT group and 10% (3/29) in the Nd:YAG group. In patients with no prior radiotherapy, the overall incidence of FMH was less than 1%. Characteristics of patients at high risk for FMH are described in CONTRAINDICATIONS and WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS.

Other serious or notable adverse reactions were observed in less than 5% of PDT-treated patients with endobronchial cancer; their relationship to therapy is uncertain. In the respiratory system, pulmonary thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and lung abscess have occurred. Cardiac failure, sepsis, and possible cerebrovascular accident have also been reported in one patient each.

TABLE 7: Adverse Reactions Reported in 5% or More of Patients with Obstructing Endobronchial Cancer

SYSTEM ORGAN CLASS/Adverse Reaction	Number (%) of Patients
	Within 30 Days of Treatment		Entire Follow-up Perioda
	PDT N=86 n (%)	Nd:YAG N=86 n (%)	PDT N=86 n (%)	Nd:YAG N=86 n (%)
Patients with at Least One Adverse Reaction	43(50)	33 (38)	62 (72)	48 (56)
GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS
Dyspepsia	1(1)	4 (5)	2 (2)	5 (6)
Constipation	4(5)	1 (1)	4 (5)	2 (2)
GENERAL DISORDERS and ADMINISTRATION SITE CONDITIONS
Pyrexia	7(8)	7 (8)	14 (16)	8 (9)
Chest pain	6(7)	6 (7)	7 (8)	8 (9)
Pain	1(1)	4 (5)	4 (5)	8 (9)
Edema peripheral	3(3)	3 (3)	4 (5)	3 (3)
MUSCULOSKELETAL and CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISORDERS
Back pain	3(3)	1 (1)	3 (3)	5 (6)
NERVOUS SYSTEM DISORDERS
Dysphonia	3(3)	2 (2)	4 (5)	2 (2)
PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
Insomnia	4(5)	2 (2)	4 (5)	3 (4)
Anxiety	3(3)	0 (0)	5 (6)	0 (0)
RESPIRATORY, THORACIC and MEDIASTINAL DISORDERS
Dyspnoea	15(17)	7 (8)	26 (30)	13 (15)
Cough	5(6)	8 (9)	13 (15)	11 (13)
Hemoptysis	6(7)	5 (6)	14 (16)	7 (8)
Pneumonia	5(6)	4 (5)	10 (12)	5 (6)
Bronchitis	9(10)	2 (2)	9 (10)	2 (2)
Productive cough	4(5)	5 (6)	7 (8)	6 (7)
Respiratory insufficiency	0(0)	0 (0)	5 (6)	1 (1)
Pleural effusion	0(0)	0 (0)	4 (5)	1 (1)
Pneumothorax	0(0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	4 (5)
SKIN and SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE DISORDERS
Photosensitivity  reaction	16(19)	0 (0)	18 (21)	0 (0)
a Follow-up was 33% longer for the PDT group than for the Nd:YAG group, introducing a bias against PDT when adverse reactions are compared for the entire follow-up period.

 

Superficial Endobronchial Tumors

The following adverse reactions were reported over the entire follow-up period in at least 5% of patients with superficial tumors (microinvasive or carcinoma in situ) who received the currently marketed formulation.

TABLE 8: Adverse Reactions Reported in 5% or More of Patients^a with Superficial Endobronchial Tumors

Adverse Reaction	N=90 n (%)
Patients with at Least One Adverse Reaction	44 (49)
RESPIRATORY, THORACIC and MEDIASTINAL DISORDERS
Exudate	20 (22)
Bronchial mucus plug or bronchial obstruction	19 (21)
Edema	16 (18)
Bronchostenosis	10 (11)
Bronchial ulceration	8 (9)
Cough	8 (9)
Dyspnoea	6 (7)
SKIN and SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE DISORDERS
Photosensitivity reaction	20 (22)
a Based on adverse reactions reported at any time during the entire period of follow-up.

 

In patients with superficial endobronchial tumors, 44 of 90 patients (49%) experienced an adverse reaction, two-thirds of which were related to the respiratory system. The most common reaction to therapy was a mucositis reaction in one-fifth of the patients, which manifested as edema, exudate, and obstruction. The obstruction (mucus plug) is easily removed with suction or forceps. Mucositis can be minimized by avoiding exposure of normal tissue to excessive light [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. Three patients experienced life-threatening dyspnoea: one was given a double dose of light, one was treated concurrently in both mainstem bronchi and the other had had prior pneumonectomy and was treated in the sole remaining main airway [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. Stent placement was required in 3% of the patients due to endobronchial stricture. Fatal massive hemoptysis occurred within 30 days of treatment in one patient with superficial tumors (1%).

High-Grade Dysplasia (HGD) in Barrett’s Esophagus (BE)

Table 9 presents adverse reactions that were reported over the follow-up period in at least 5% of patients with HGD in BE in either controlled or uncontrolled clinical trials.

In the PHOTOFRIN (porfimer sodium) PDT + OM group severe adverse reactions included chest pain of non-cardiac origin, dysphagia, nausea, vomiting, regurgitation, and heartburn. The severity of these symptoms decreased within 4 to 6 weeks following treatment.

The majority of the photosensitivity reactions occurred within 90 days following PHOTOFRIN (porfimer sodium) injection and was of mild (68%) or moderate (24%) intensity. Fourteen (10%) patients reported severe reactions, all of which resolved. The typical reaction was described as skin disorder, sunburn or rash, and affected mostly the face, hands, and neck. Associated symptoms and signs were swelling, pruritis, erythema, blisters, burning sensation, and feeling of heat.

The majority of esophageal stenosis including strictures reported in the PHOTOFRIN (porfimer sodium) PDT + OM group werewas of mild (57%) or moderate (35%) intensity, while approximately 8% were of severe intensity. The majority of esophageal strictures were reported during Course 2 of treatment. All esophageal strictures were considered to be due to treatment. Most esophageal strictures were manageable through dilations [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

TABLE 9: Adverse Reactions Reported in ≥ 5% of Patients Treated with PHOTOFRIN (porfimer sodium) PDT in the Clinical Trials on High-Grade Dysplasia in Barrett’s Esophagus

SYSTEM ORGAN CLASS/Adverse Reaction	Treatment Groups
	HGDa PHOPDT +OM N=219 n (%)	HGDb OM Only N=69 n (%)	Otherc PHOPDT+ OM N=99 n (%)	Total PHOPDT +OM N=318 n (%)
Patients with at Least One Adverse Reaction	206 (94)	9 (13)	97 (98)	303 (95)
GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS	163 (74)	6 (9)	83 (84)	246 (77)
Nausea	57 (26)	1 (1)	61 (62)	118 (37)
Vomiting	63 (29)	1 (1)	34 (34)	97 (31)
Esophageal Strictured	81 (37)	0	33 (33)	114 (36)
Esophageal Narrowinge	71 (32)	4 (6)	24 (24)	95 (30)
Dysphagia	49 (22)	0	26 (26)	75 (24)
Constipation	25 (11)	1 (1)	7 (7)	32 (10)
Abdominal pain (Upper, lower, NOS)	11 (5)	1 (1)	6 (6)	17 (5)
Esophageal pain	13 (6)	0	9 (9)	22 (7)
Dyspepsia	10 (5)	0	4 (4)	14 (4)
Hiccups	16 (7)	0	1 (1)	17 (5)
Odynophagia	13 (6)	0	4 (4)	17 (5)
GENERAL and ADMINISTRATION SITE CONDITIONS	110 (50)	0	62 (63)	172 (54)
Chest pain	63 (29)	0	37 (37)	100 (31)
Pyrexia	41 (19)	0	13 (13)	54 (17)
Chest discomfort	13 (6)	0	19 (19)	32 (10)
Pain	11 (5)	0	7 (7)	18 (6)
INJURY, POISONING and PROCEDURAL COMPLICATIONS	24 (11)	0	19 (19)	43 (14)
Post procedural pain	14 (6)	0	14 (14)	28 (9)
INVESTIGATIONS	24 (11)	0	11 (11)	35 (11)
Weight decreased	15 (7)	0	2 (2)	17 (5)
METABOLISM and NUTRITION DISORDERS	28 (13)	0	16 (16)	44 (14)
Dehydration	24 (11)	0	8 (8)	32 (10)
RESPIRATORY, THORACIC and MEDIASTINAL DISORDERS	35 (16)	0	18 (18)	53 (17)
Pleural effusion	22 (10)	0	15 (15)	37 (12)
SKIN and SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE DISORDERS	115 (53)	1 (1)	28 (28)	143 (45)
Photosensitivity reaction	102 (47)	0	16 (16)	118 (37)
PHO: PHOTOFRIN (porfimer sodium) a Includes all HGD patients in the Safety population from PHO BAR 02 (N=133), TCSC 93-07 (N=44), and TCSC 96-01 (N=42). b Includes all HGD patients in the Safety population from PHO BAR 02 (N=69). c Includes patients with Barrett’s metaplasia, indefinite dysplasia, LGD, and adenocarcinoma at baseline in the Safety population from TCSC 93-07 (N=55) and TCSC 96-01 (N=44). d Esophageal stricture was defined as a dilated esophageal stenosis. e Esophageal narrowing was defined as an undilated esophageal stenosis. NOTE: Adverse reactions classified using MedDRA 5.0 dictionary with the exception of esophageal stricture and esophageal narrowing.

 

Laboratory Abnormalities

In patients with esophageal cancer, PDT with PHOTOFRIN (porfimer sodium) may result in anemia due to tumor bleeding. No significant effects were observed for other parameters in patients with endobronchial carcinoma or with HGD in BE.

Other Photosensitizing Agents

There have been no formal interaction studies of PHOTOFRIN (porfimer sodium) and any other drugs. However, it is possible that concomitant use of other photosensitizing agents (e.g., tetracyclines, sulfonamides, phenothiazines, sulfonylurea hypoglycemic agents, thiazide diuretics, griseofulvin, and fluoroquinolones) could increase the risk of photosensitivity reaction.

Concomitant Therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with PHOTOFRIN (porfimer sodium) causes direct intracellular damage by initiating radical chain reactions that damage intracellular membranes and mitochondria. Tissue damage also results from ischemia secondary to vasoconstriction, platelet activation and aggregation and clotting. Research in animals and in cell culture has suggested that many drugs could influence the effects of PDT, possible examples of which are described below. There are no human data that support or rebut these possibilities.

Compounds that quench active oxygen species or scavenge radicals, such as dimethyl sulfoxide, β-carotene, ethanol, formate and mannitol would be expected to decrease PDT activity. Preclinical data also suggest that tissue ischemia, allopurinol, calcium channel blockers and some prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors could interfere with PHOTOFRIN (porfimer sodium) PDT. Drugs that decrease clotting, vasoconstriction or platelet aggregation, e.g., thromboxane A2 inhibitors, could decrease the efficacy of PDT. Glucocorticoid hormones given before or concomitant with PDT may decrease the efficacy of the treatment.

WarningS

Included as part of the “PRECAUTIONS” Section

Precautions

Gastroesophageal Fistula And Perforation

Serious and sometimes fatal gastrointestinal and esophageal necrosis and perforation can occur following treatment with PHOTOFRIN with PDT. Do not initiate PHOTOFRIN with PDT in patients with esophageal tumors eroding into the trachea or bronchial tree or bronchial wall because of the high likelihood of tracheoesophageal or bronchoesophageal fistula.

Pulmonary And Gastroesophageal Hemorrhage

Patients with large, centrally located tumors, cavitating tumors, or extensive tumors extrinsic to the bronchus are at high risk for fatal massive hemoptysis. Assess patients for tumors eroding into a pulmonary blood vessel [see CONTRAINDICATIONS] and esophageal varices. Do not administer light directly to an area with esophageal varices because of the high risk of hemorrhage.

High-Grade Dysplasia (HGD) In Barrett’s Esophagus (BE)

The long-term effect of PDT on HGD in BE is unknown. There is always a risk of cancer or abnormal epithelium that is invisible to the endoscopist beneath the new squamous cell epithelium; these facts emphasize the risk of overlooking cancer in such patients and the need for rigorous continuing surveillance despite the endoscopic appearance of complete squamous cell reepithelialization. Conduct endoscopic biopsy surveillance every 3 months, until 4 consecutive negative evaluations for HGD have been recorded; further follow-up may be scheduled every 6 to 12 months, as per judgment of healthcare providers. The follow-up period of the randomized study at the time of analysis was a minimum of 2 years (range 2 to 5.6 years).

Photosensitivity

All patients who receive PHOTOFRIN will be photosensitive and must observe precautions to avoid exposure of skin and eyes to direct sunlight or bright indoor light (from examination lamps, including dental lamps, operating room lamps, unshaded light bulbs at close proximity, etc.) for at least 30 days. Some patients may remain photosensitive for up to 90 days or more. The photosensitivity is due to residual drug, which will be present in all parts of the skin. Exposure of the skin to ambient indoor light is, however, beneficial because the remaining drug will be inactivated gradually and safely through a photobleaching reaction.

Therefore, patients should not stay in a darkened room during this period and should be encouraged to expose their skin to ambient indoor light. The level of photosensitivity will vary for different areas of the body, depending on the extent of previous exposure to light. Before exposing any area of skin to direct sunlight or bright indoor light, the patient should test it for residual photosensitivity. A small area of skin should be exposed to sunlight for 10 minutes. If no photosensitivity reaction (erythema, edema, blistering) occurs within 24 hours, the patient can gradually resume normal outdoor activities, initially continuing to exercise caution and gradually allowing increased exposure. If some photosensitivity reaction occurs with the limited skin test, the patient should continue precautions for another 2 weeks before retesting. The tissue around the eyes may be more sensitive, and therefore, it is not recommended that the face be used for testing. If patients travel to a different geographical area with greater sunshine, they should retest their level of photosensitivity.

Conventional ultraviolet (UV) sunscreens will only protect against UV light-related photosensitivity and will be of no value in protecting against induced photosensitivity reactions caused by visible light.

Ocular Sensitivity

Sensitivity to sun, bright lights, or car headlights, causing ocular discomfort, can occur in patients who receive PHOTOFRIN. For at least 30 days and until ocular sensitivity resolves, instruct patients when outdoors to wear dark sunglasses which have an average white light transmittance of <4%.

Use Before Or After Radiotherapy

If PDT is to be used before or after radiotherapy, allot sufficient time between the two therapies to ensure that the inflammatory response produced by the first treatment has subsided before commencing the second treatment. The inflammatory response from PDT will depend on tumor size and extent of surrounding normal tissue that receives light. Allow 2 to 4 weeks after PDT before commencing radiotherapy.

The acute inflammatory reaction from radiotherapy usually subsides within 4 weeks after completing radiotherapy. Allow 4 weeks after completing radiotherapy before commencing PDT.

Chest Pain

As a result of PDT treatment, patients may complain of substernal chest pain because of inflammatory responses within the area of treatment. Such pain may be of sufficient intensity to warrant the short-term prescription of opiate analgesics.

Airway Obstruction And Respiratory Distress

PHOTOFRIN followed by PDT can cause treatment-induced inflammation and obstruct the main airway. Administer with caution to patients with endobronchial tumors in locations where treatment-induced inflammation can obstruct the main airway, e.g., long or circumferential tumors of the trachea, tumors of the carina that involve both mainstem bronchi circumferentially, or circumferential tumors in the mainstem bronchus in patients with prior pneumonectomy.

Monitor patients closely between the laser light therapy and the mandatory debridement bronchoscopy for any evidence of respiratory distress. Inflammation, mucositis, and necrotic debris may cause obstruction of the airway. If respiratory distress occurs, the physician should be prepared to carry out immediate bronchoscopy to remove secretions and debris to open the airway.

Esophageal Strictures

Esophageal strictures occurred in 122 of 318 (38%) patients enrolled in three clinical studies of patients who received PHOTOFRIN with PDT to the esophagus. Nodule pretreatment and re-treating the same mucosal segment more than once may influence the risk of developing an esophageal stricture. A total of 49% of patients who developed a stricture received nodule pretreatment and 82% who developed a stricture had a mucosal segment treated twice. Overall, esophageal strictures occurred within six months following PHOTOFRIN with PDT. Multiple dilations of esophageal strictures may be required, as shown in Table 5.

TABLE 5. Esophageal Dilations in Patients with Treatment – Related Strictures

Number of Dilations	Number of Patients With Strictures N=114	Percentage of Patients with Strictures
1 – 2 Dilations	32	28%
3 – 5 Dilations	32	28%
6 – 10	24	21%
>10 Dilations	26	23%

 

Risk Of Prolonged Duration Of Photosensitivity In Patients With Hepatic And Renal Impairment

Hepatic or renal impairment will likely prolong the elimination of porfimer sodium leading to higher rates of toxicity. Inform patients with severe renal impairment or mild to severe hepatic impairment that the period requiring the precautionary measures for photosensitivity may be longer than 90 days.

Thromboembolism

Thromboembolic events can occur following photodynamic therapy with PHOTOFRIN. Most reported events occurred in patients with other risk factors for thromboembolism including advanced cancer, following major surgery, prolonged immobilization, or cardiovascular disease.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

Based on animal studies, PHOTOFRIN may cause embryo-fetal toxicity when administered to a pregnant woman. Intravenous administration of porfimer sodium to pregnant rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis at dose levels approximately 0.64 times the recommended human dose of PHOTOFRIN based on body surface area (BSA) resulted in increased fetal resorptions, decreased litter size, and reduced fetal weight but did not cause fetal malformations. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential and males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with PHOTOFRIN and for 5 months after the final dose.

Nonclinical Toxicology

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, And Impairment Of Fertility

No long-term studies have been conducted to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of porfimer sodium.

In the presence of light, porfimer sodium PDT did not cause mutations in the Ames test, nor did it cause chromosome aberrations or mutations (HGPRT locus) in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells in vitro. Porfimer sodium PDT caused <2-fold, but significant, increases in sister chromatid exchange in CHO cells irradiated with visible light and a 3-fold increase in Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts irradiated with near UV light.

Porfimer sodium PDT caused an increase in thymidine kinase mutants and DNA-protein cross-links in mouse L5178Y cells, but not mouse LYR83 cells. Porfimer sodium PDT caused a light-dose dependent increase in DNA-strand breaks in malignant human cervical carcinoma cells, but not in normal cells. In the absence of light, porfimer sodium was negative in a Chinese hamster ovarian cells (CHO/HGPRT) mutation test. In vivo, porfimer sodium did not cause chromosomal aberrations in the mouse micronucleus test.

Porfimer sodium given to male and female rats intravenously at 4 mg/kg/day (0.32 times the recommended human dose of PHOTOFRIN based on BSA) before conception and through Day 7 of pregnancy caused no impairment of fertility. In this study, long-term dosing with porfimer sodium caused discoloration of testes and ovaries and hypertrophy of the testes. Porfimer sodium also caused decreased body weight in the parent rats.

Use In Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Risk Summary

Based on animal studies, PHOTOFRIN may cause embryo-fetal toxicity when administered to a pregnant woman. There are no available data on PHOTOFRIN use in pregnant women to evaluate for a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Intraveneous administration of porfimer sodium to pregnant rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis at dose levels approximately 0.64 times the recommended human dose of PHOTOFRIN based on body surface area (BSA) resulted in increased fetal resorptions, decreased litter size, and reduced fetal weight, but did not cause fetal malformations.

In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20% respectively.

Data

Animal Data

Intravenous administration of porfimer sodium to pregnant rats for 10 days during the period of organogenesis at dose levels 0.64 times the recommended human dose of PHOTOFRIN based on BSA resulted in maternal and embryo-fetal toxicity resulting in increased resorptions, decreased litter size, delayed ossification, and reduced fetal weight but did not cause major fetal malformations. Intravenous administration of porfimer sodium to pregnant rabbits for 13 days during the period of organogenesis at dose levels 0.65 times the recommended human dose of PHOTOFRIN based on BSA caused maternal toxicity resulting in increased resorptions, decreased litter size, and reduced fetal body weight but did not cause major fetal malformations. Intravenous administration of porfimer sodium to rats for at least 42 days during late pregnancy (postorganogenesis, GD17-PND21) through lactation at dose levels 0.32 times the recommended human dose of PHOTOFRIN based on BSA caused a reversible decrease in growth of offspring. Parturition was unaffected.

Lactation

Risk Summary

There are no data on the presence of porfimer sodium in human or animal milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in the breastfed infant, advise patients that breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with PHOTOFRIN and for 5 months after the last dose.

Females And Males Of Reproductive Potential

Pregnancy Testing

Verify pregnancy status in females of reproductive potential prior to the initiation of PHOTOFRIN therapy [see Pregnancy].

Contraception

PHOTOFRIN may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Pregnancy].

Females

Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with PHOTOFRIN and for 5 months after the final dose.

Males

Advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential to use condoms during treatment with PHOTOFRIN and for 5 months following the final dose.

Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness in pediatrics have not been established.

Geriatric Use

Approximately 70% of the patients treated with PDT using PHOTOFRIN in clinical trials were over 60 years of age. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these patients compared to younger patients.

Overdose

PHOTOFRIN Overdose

There is limited information on overdosages involving PHOTOFRIN. Laser treatment should not be given if an overdose of PHOTOFRIN is administered. In the event of an overdose, instruct patients to protect their eyes and skin from direct sunlight or bright indoor lights for at least 30 days and then test for residual photosensitivity [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. PHOTOFRIN is not dialyzable.

Overdose Of Laser Light Following PHOTOFRIN

Life-threatening dyspnea has been reported in a patient with a superficial endobronchial tumor who was administered a light dose higher than the recommended dose. Increased symptoms and damage to normal tissue might be expected following an overdose of light. There is no information on overdose of laser light following PHOTOFRIN in patients with esophageal cancer or with high-grade dysplasia in Barrett’s esophagus.

Contraindications

• PHOTOFRIN is contraindicated in patients with porphyria.
• Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is contraindicated in patients with an existing tracheoesophageal or bronchoesophageal fistula.
• PDT is contraindicated in patients with tumors eroding into a major blood vessel.
• PDT is not suitable for emergency treatment of patients with severe acute respiratory distress caused by an obstructing endobronchial lesion because 40 to 50 hours are required between injection with PHOTOFRIN and laser light treatment.
• PDT is not suitable for patients with esophageal or gastric varices, or patients with esophageal ulcers >1 cm in diameter

Mechanism Of Action

The cytotoxic and antitumor actions of PHOTOFRIN are light and oxygen dependent. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with PHOTOFRIN is a two-stage process. The first stage is the intravenous administration of PHOTOFRIN. Clearance from a variety of tissues occurs over 40-72 hours, but tumors, skin, and organs of the reticuloendothelial system (including liver and spleen) retain PHOTOFRIN for a longer period. The second stage is the illumination with 630 nm wavelength laser light. Tumor selectivity in treatment occurs through a combination of selective retention of PHOTOFRIN and selective delivery of light.

Cellular damage caused by PDT with PHOTOFRIN is a consequence of the propagation of radical reactions. Radical initiation may occur after porfimer sodium absorbs light to form a porphyrin excited state. Spin transfer from porfimer sodium to molecular oxygen may then generate singlet oxygen. Subsequent radical reactions can form superoxide and hydroxyl radicals. Tumor death also occurs through ischemic necrosis secondary to vascular occlusion that appears to be partly mediated by thromboxane A2 release. As opposed to a thermal effect, the laser treatment with porfimer sodium induces a photochemical effect. The necrotic reaction and associated inflammatory responses may evolve over several days.

Pharmacodynamics

The duration of the PDT effect of PHOTOFRIN is dependent on retention and clearance of porfimer sodium from the tumor tissue and delivery of light.

Drug Interaction Studies

Findings in animals and cell culture suggest that many drugs could influence the effect of PDT, including compounds that quench active oxygen species or scavenge free radicals; decrease clotting, vasoconstriction or platelet aggregation: glucocorticosteroids; allopurinol; calcium channel blockers; and some prostaglandin inhibitors.

Pharmacokinetics

The pharmacokinetics of porfimer sodium were studied in 18 patients with cancer who received PHOTOFRIN 2 mg/kg/dose administered as a slow intravenous infusion over 3 to 5 minutes followed by a second dose administered 30 to 45 days later. The mean Cmax were comparable after the first and second dose (43.1±10.5 mcg/mL and 41.3±8.7 mcg/mL, respectively). The mean AUC0-INF was about 34% higher after the second dose compared to that after the first dose (3937±1034 mcg.h/mL and 2937±627 mcg. hour/mL, respectively), indicating some accumulation upon repeated administration.

Distribution

Clearance from a variety of tissues occurs over 40 to 72 hours, but tumors, skin, and organs of the reticuloendothelial system (including liver and spleen) retain porfimer sodium for a longer period.

Porfimer sodium was approximately 90% protein bound in human serum in vitro. The binding was independent of concentration over the concentration range of 20 to 100 mcg/mL.

Elimination

The elimination half- life is 410 hours after the first dose and increases to 725 hours after the second dose.

Specific Populations

No clinically significant differences in the pharmacokinetics of porfimer sodium were observed based on sex. The effect of renal and hepatic impairment has not been studied.

Clinical Studies

Clinical studies of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with PHOTOFRIN were conducted in patients with obstructing esophageal and endobronchial non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLC), in patients with early-stage radiologically occult endobronchial cancer, and in patients with high-grade dysplasia (HGD) in Barrett’s esophagus (BE). In all clinical studies, the method of PDT administration was essentially identical. A course of therapy consisted of one injection of PHOTOFRIN (2 mg/kg administered as a slow intravenous infusion over 3–5 minutes) followed by up to two non-thermal applications of 630 nm laser light. Light doses of 300 J/cm of diffuser length were used in esophageal cancer. Light doses of 200 J/cm of diffuser length were used in endobronchial cancer for both palliation of obstructing cancer and treatment of superficial lesions. Light doses of 130 J/cm of diffuser length using a centering balloon for the first application and 50 J/cm of diffuser length without a centering balloon for the second application were used for HGD in BE [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]. In all cases, the first application of light occurred 40–50 hours after PHOTOFRIN.

For treatment of esophageal cancer, optional debridement of residua could be performed via endoscopy 96-120 hours after PHOTOFRIN administration, after which any residual tumor could be retreated with a second laser light application at the same light dose used for the initial treatment. Additional courses of PDT with PHOTOFRIN were allowed after 1 month, up to a maximum of 3 courses.

For treatment of endobronchial cancer, debridement of residua was performed via bronchoscopy 96-120 hours after PHOTOFRIN administration, after which any residual tumor could be retreated with a second laser light application at the same light dose used for the initial treatment. Additional courses of PDT with PHOTOFRIN were allowed after 1 month, up to a maximum of 3 courses.

For ablation of HGD in BE, a second laser light application of 50 J/cm of diffuser length without a centering balloon could be given 96-120 hours after PHOTOFRIN administration for untreated areas (“skip” areas). Additional courses of PDT with PHOTOFRIN were allowed after 3 months, up to a maximum of 3 courses.

Esophageal Cancer

PDT with PHOTOFRIN was utilized in a multicenter, single-arm study in 17 patients with completely obstructing esophageal carcinoma. Assessments were made at 1 week and 1 month after the last treatment procedure. As shown in Table 10, after a single course of therapy, 94% of patients obtained an objective tumor response and 76% of patients experienced some palliation of their dysphagia. On average, before treatment these patients had difficulty swallowing liquids, even saliva. After one course of therapy, there was a statistically significant improvement in mean dysphagia grade (1.5 units, p <0.05) and 13 of 17 patients could swallow liquids without difficulty 1 week and/or 1 month after treatment. Based on all courses, three patients achieved a complete tumor response (CR). In two of these patients, the CR was documented only at Week 1 as they had no further assessments. The third patient achieved a CR after a second course of therapy, which was supported by negative histopathology and maintained for the entire follow-up of 6 months.

Of the 17 treated patients, 11 (65%) received clinically important benefit from PDT. Clinically important benefit was defined hierarchically as a complete tumor response (3 patients), achievement of normal swallowing (2 patients went from Grade 5 dysphagia to Grade 1), or achievement of a marked improvement of two or more grades of dysphagia with minimal adverse reactions (6 patients). The median duration of benefit in these patients was 69 days. Duration of benefit was calculated only for the period with documented evidence of improvement. All of these patients were still in response at their last assessment and, therefore, the estimate of 69 days is conservative. The median survival for these 11 patients was 115 days.

Endobronchial Cancer

Two randomized multicenter studies were conducted to compare the safety and efficacy of PHOTOFRIN PDT versus Nd:YAG laser therapy for reduction of obstruction and palliation of symptomatic patients with partially or completely obstructing endobronchial non-small-cell lung cancer. Assessments were made at 1 week and at monthly intervals after treatment. Table 11 shows the results from all randomized patients in the two studies combined. Objective tumor response rates (CR + PR), which demonstrate reduction of obstruction, were 59% for PDT and 58% for Nd:YAG at Week 1. The response rate at 1 month or later was 60% for PDT and 41% for Nd:YAG.

Patient symptoms were evaluated using a 5- or 6-grade pulmonary symptom severity rating scale for dyspnea, cough, and hemoptysis. Patients with moderate to severe symptoms are those most in need of palliation. Improvements of 2 or more grades are considered to be clinically significant. Table 12 shows the percentages of patients with moderate to severe symptoms at baseline who demonstrated a 2-grade improvement at any time during the interval evaluated.

TABLE 10. Course 1 Efficacy Results in Patients with Completely Obstructing Esophageal Cancer

EFFICACY PARAMETER	PDT N=17
OBJECTIVE TUMOR RESPONSEa (% of patients)
Week 1	82%
Month 1	35%b
Any assessmentc	94%
IMPROVEMENTd IN DYSPHAGIA (% of patients)
Week 1	71%
Month 1	47%
Any assessmentc	76%
MEAN DYSPHAGIA GRADEe AT BASELINE (units)	4.6
MEAN IMPROVEMENTe IN DYSPHAGIA GRADE (units)
Week 1	1.4
Month 1	1.5
MEAN NUMBER OF LASER APPLICATIONS (units)	1.4
a CR+PR, CR = complete response (absence of endoscopically visible tumor), PR = partial response (appearance of a visible lumen). b Eight of the 17 treated patients did not have assessments at Month 1. c Week 1 or Month 1. d Patients with at least a one-grade improvement in dysphagia grade. e Dysphagia Scale: Grade 1 = normal swallowing; Grade 2 = difficulty swallowing some hard solids, can swallow semisolids; Grade 3 = unable to swallow any solids, can swallow liquids; Grade 4 = difficulty swallowing liquids; Grade 5 = unable to swallow saliva.

 

TABLE 11. Efficacy Results from Studies in Late-Stage Obstructing Endobronchial Cancer – All Randomized Patients^a

EFFICACY PARAMETER	PDT N=102	Nd:YAG N=109
OBJECTIVE TUMOR RESPONSEb
Week 1	59%	58%
Month 1 or later	60%	41%a
ATELECASIS IMPROVEMENTc	n=60	N=71
Week 1	35%	18%
Month 1 or later	35%	20%
a Statistical comparisons were precluded by the amount of missing data at Month 1 or later (e.g., for tumor response, PDT 28% missing, Nd:YAG 38%). b CR+PR where CR = complete response (absence of bronchoscopically visible tumor) and PR = partial response (increase of ≥50% in the smallest luminal diameter; or any appearance of a lumen for completely obstructing tumors). c In patients with atelectasis at baseline.

 

TABLE 12. Efficacy Results from Studies in Late-stage Obstructing Endobronchial Cancer – Clinically Significant Improvements in Patients with Moderate to Severe Symptoms at Baseline^a

CLINICALLY SIGNIFICANT SYMPTOM IMPROVEMENTb	PDT N=102	Nd:YAG N=109
ANY SYMPTOM	n=89	n=89
Week 1	25%	29%
Month 1 or later	40%	27%a
DYSPNEA	n=60	n=68
Week 1	15%	18%
Month 1 or later	23%	13%
COUGH	n=63	n=65
Week 1	6%	9%
Month 1 or later	24%	8%
HEMOPTYSIS	n=24	n=31
Week 1	58%	29%
Month 1 or later	79%	35%
a Statistical comparisons were precluded by the amount of missing data at Month 1 or later. b Dyspnea was graded on a 6-point severity rating scale; cough and hemoptysis on a 5-point scale. Clinically significant improvement was defined as a change of at least two grades from baseline.

 

In a separate retrospective analysis, patients were individually evaluated to identify those patients whose benefit to risk ratio was most favorable, i.e., those who obtained clinically important benefit with minimal adverse reactions. Clinically important benefit was defined as one of the following:

1. A substantial improvement in pulmonary symptoms at Month 1 or later (dyspnea ≥2 grades, hemoptysis ≥3 grades, cough ≥3 grades or increase in FEV1 ≥40%);
2. A moderate improvement in symptoms at Month 2 or later (dyspnea 1 grade, cough 2 grades, hemoptysis 2 grades or increase in FEV1 ≥20%); or
3. A durable objective tumor response (CR or PR maintained to Month 2 or longer).

Thirty-six (36) of the 99 PDT-treated patients (36%) and 23 of the 99 Nd:YAG-treated patients (23%) received clinically important benefit with only minimal or moderate toxicities of short duration. Thirty-four (34) of 99 PDT- treated patients demonstrated improvements in 2 or more efficacy endpoints (dyspnea, cough, hemoptysis, sputum, atelectasis, pulmonary function tests of FEV1 or FVC, Karnofsky Performance Score or tumor response) and 29 patients had improvements in 3 or more.

The median duration of documented benefit in the 36 patients was 63 days. In these patients with late-stage obstructing lung cancer, median survival was 174 days in PDT-treated patients and 161 days in Nd:YAGtreated patients.

The efficacy of PHOTOFRIN PDT was also evaluated in the treatment of microinvasive endobronchial tumors in 62 inoperable patients in three noncomparative studies. Microinvasive lung cancer is defined histologically as disease, which invades beyond the basement membrane but not through or into the cartilage. For 11 of the 62 patients, it was clearly documented that surgery and radiotherapy were not indicated. These 11 patients were all inoperable for medical or technical reasons. Radiotherapy was not indicated due to prior highdose radiotherapy (7 patients), poor pulmonary function (2 patients), multifocal multilobar disease (1 patient), and poor medical condition (1 patient). As shown in Table 13, the complete tumor response rate, biopsy-proven at least 3 months after treatment, was 50%, median time to tumor recurrence was more than 2.7 years, median survival was 2.9 years and disease-specific survival was 4.1 years.

TABLE 13. Overall Efficacy in Patients with Superficial Endobronchial Tumors

EFFICACY PARAMETER	PDT
	n=11	n=62
COMPLETE TUMOR RESPONSE, BIOPSY-PROVEN AT 3 MONTHS
Number of Patients (%)	3 (27)	31 (50)a
TIME TO TUMOR RECURRENCE IN PATIENTS WITH COMPLETE RESPONSE
Number of Patients (%) with Recurrences	1(33)	11(35)
Median Time to Tumor Recurrence		>2.7 years
[95% Confidence Interval]		[1.6, b]
SURVIVAL
Number of Patients (%) who Died of Any Cause	4 (36)	32 (52)
Median Survival		2.9 years
[95% Confidence Interval]		[2.1, 5.7]
DISEASE-SPECIFIC SURVIVAL
Number of Patients (%) who Died of Lung Cancer	3 (27)	22 (35)
Median Disease-Specific Survival		4.1 years
[95% Confidence Interval]		[2.5, —b]
a Not included are an additional 18 patients (6 patients not eligible for surgery or radiotherapy) who had complete tumor responses which were documented earlier than 3 months after treatment. b The upper limit of the confidence interval could not be estimated due to an insufficient number of patients whose tumors recurred (Time to Tumor Recurrence) or who died (Survival).

 

High-Grade Dysplasia In Barrett’s Esophagus

The safety and efficacy of PDT with PHOTOFRIN in ablation of HGD in patients with BE was assessed in one controlled randomized clinical study and two supportive studies.

Controlled Randomized Study

A multicenter, pathology blinded, randomized, controlled study was conducted in North America and Europe to assess the efficacy of PDT with PHOTOFRIN plus omeprazole (PHOTOFRIN PDT + OM) in producing complete ablation of HGD in patients with BE compared to control patients receiving omeprazole alone (OM Only). A total of 485 patients with the diagnosis of HGD were screened for the study; 208 (43%) were randomized to treatment, 237 (49%) were excluded because the diagnosis of HGD was not confirmed and 40 (8%) did not meet other screening criteria or declined to participate in the study.

The high patient exclusion rate re-enforces the recommendation by the American College of Gastroenterology that the diagnosis of HGD in BE should be confirmed by an expert gastrointestinal pathologist. Patients were centrally randomized in a 2:1 proportion to receive PHOTOFRIN PDT + OM (138 patients) or OM Only (70 patients). All patients underwent rigorous systematic quarterly endoscopic biopsy surveillance. Four-quadrant jumbo biopsies at every 2 cm of the entire Barrett’s mucosa were obtained at each follow-up visit (every three months or six months if four consecutive quarterly follow-up endoscopic biopsy results were negative for HGD). All histological assessments were carried out at a central pathology laboratory and read by pathologists blinded to the treatment administered.

A total of 208 patients who had biopsy-proven HGD in BE were enrolled in the initial 2-year phase of the study. Of those, 199 patients were considered evaluable: 130 of 138 (94%) patients randomized to the PHOTOFRIN PDT + OM group and 69 of 70 (99%) randomized to the OM Only group had no esophageal invasive cancer, suspicion of esophageal invasive cancer, lymph node involvement, or metastases, and had received at least one PHOTOFRIN PDT course or one week of OM treatment, respectively. A disproportionate percentage of patients were discontinued from the OM Only group during the initial 2-year phase leaving 81 (59%) patients in the PHOTOFRIN PDT + OM group and 21 (30%) patients in the OM Only group at the end of the 2-year phase. Consequently, a total of 102 patients who completed the initial 2-year phase were eligible for continuation into the long-term phase until completion of 5 years; of those, 48 (59%) patients from the PHOTOFRIN PDT + OM group and 13 (62%) patients from the OM Only group consented to pursue the longterm phase until completion of 5 years. The mean age was 66 years (38 to 89 years) in the PHOTOFRIN PDT + OM group, and 67 (36 to 88 years) in the OM Only group. The patients in both treatment groups were predominantly male (85%), Caucasian (99%), and former smokers (64%). These characteristics are typical of patients with HGD in BE. Patients randomized to the PHOTOFRIN PDT + OM treatment received up to three courses of treatment separated by at least 90 days. Each course consisted of intravenous administration of 2.0 mg/kg of PHOTOFRIN followed 40-50 hours later by a 630 nm laser light dose of 130 J/cm of diffuser length delivered using a centering balloon. A second laser light dose of 50 J/cm of diffuser length could be administered without a centering balloon 96-120 hours after the injection of PHOTOFRIN for treatment of “skip” areas. Since centering balloons are up to 7 cm in length, patients with more extensive HGD were treated with two or three courses. Both the PHOTOFRIN PDT treatment group and the control group received 20 mg of omeprazole BID to decrease reflux esophagitis. The mean duration of the follow-up period was 34 months (067 months) for the PHOTOFRIN PDT + OM group and 25 months (0-65 months) for the OM Only group.

The major efficacy outcome measure was the Complete Response rate (CR3 or better) at any one of the endoscopic assessment time points. The CR3 or better response was defined as the complete ablation of HGD and referred to as a composite of the following three response levels.

1. CR1 – Complete replacement of all Barrett’s metaplasia and dysplasia with normal squamous cell epithelium;
2. CR2 – Ablation of all histological grades of dysplasia, including patients with indefinite grade of dysplasia, but some areas of Barrett’s epithelium still remain; and
3. CR3 – Ablation of all HGD but with some areas of low-grade dysplasia with or without areas which are indefinite for dysplasia, or areas of Barrett’s metaplastic epithelium.

Additional efficacy endpoints included:

1. Quality of Complete Response, which consisted of CR1 and CR2 or better.
2. Duration of CR;
3. Time to Progression to Cancer.

Table 14 presents the overall clinical response for both treatment groups in the intent-to-treat (ITT) population whose response was CR3 or better at any one of the evaluation time points. Overall, PHOTOFRIN PDT + OM was effective in eliminating HGD in patients with BE. The proportion of responders was significantly higher in the PHOTOFRIN PDT + OM group than in the OM Only group (77% vs. 39%, respectively; p<0.0001).

The quality of response in the PHOTOFRIN PDT + OM group was significantly better than that measured in the OM Only group at all response levels (p<0.0001). Seventy-two (52%) patients in the PHOTOFRIN PDT + OM group achieved a CR1 response as compared to only five (7%) patients in the OM Only group. Eighty-one (59%) patients in the PHOTOFRIN PDT + OM group achieved a CR2 or better response as compared to ten (14%) patients in the OM Only group.

TABLE 14. Complete Response Rates After a Minimum Follow-Up of 24 Months in the ITT Population

Responders	TREATMENT GROUPS
	PHOTOFRIN PDT+OM N=138	OM Only N=70	p-valuea
CR3 or betterb	n = 106	n= 27
Proportion (%) 95% CI	0.768 (76.8)	0.386 (38.6)	<0.0001
	(0.689, 0.836)	(0.272, 0.510)
NOTE: Six patients in the PHOTOFRIN PDT + OM group and three patients in the OM Only group without post-baseline biopsy data are considered as non-responders. a Fisher’s Exact test. b CR3 or better: Ablation of all areas of HGD.

 

At the end of the long-term phase, the median response duration was 44.6 months (95% CI: 15.0-not reached, months) in the PHOTOFRIN PDT + OM group compared to 3.2 months (95% CI: 3.0- 3.4, months) in the OM Only group.

At the end of the initial 2 year phase, the time to progression to cancer was significantly longer in the PHOTOFRIN PDT + OM group compared to the OM Only group (HR=0.36 (95% CI: 0.19-0.69), a hazard ratio less than 1 favors the PHOTOFRIN PDT + OM group). The proportion of patients’ progression to cancer was lower in the PHOTOFRIN PDT + OM group than in the OM Only group: 13% (18 of 138 patients) vs. 28% (20 of 70 patients).

Complete response was influenced by the following factors: treatment with PHOTOFRIN PDT + OM (vs. OM Only), single focus of HGD (vs. multiple foci), and prior omeprazole intake of at least 3 months (yes vs. no). Complete response was not influenced by the duration of HGD, length of BE, nodular conditions, gender, age, smoking history, and study center’s size.

Supportive Studies

Two uncontrolled, supportive studies were conducted that were physician-sponsored, single center Phase II trials. Both studies included patients that had low-grade dysplasia (LGD), HGD and early adenocarcinoma. All HGD in BE patients were treated with PHOTOFRIN PDT and omeprazole.

The first study enrolled 99 patients (44 with HGD); the purpose of this study was to determine the required light dose to produce effective results. The second study enrolled 86 patients (42 with HGD), who were randomized to receive either PHOTOFRIN PDT with prednisone or PHOTOFRIN PDT without prednisone to determine whether steroid treatment would reduce the incidence and severity of esophageal strictures.

A CR3 or better response was demonstrated in 93% of 44 patients with HGD in the first study and in 95% of 42 patients with HGD in the second study after a minimum follow-up of 12 months. A CR2 or better response was achieved in 82% of patients in the first study and in 91% of patients in the second study. A CR1 response occurred in 57% of patients in the first study and in 60% of the second study. Progression to cancer during the above follow-up period occurred in 18% of patients in the first study and in 7% of patients in the second study. No reduction in the incidence or severity of esophageal strictures was found in the prednisone group in the second study.