Levulan PDT may reduce the rate of recurrence of SCCs in solid organ transplant recipients: Study

Nov 10 2009

The results of an independent investigator study just published in the online version of Dermatologic Surgery demonstrate that Levulan(®) Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) may reduce the rate of recurrence of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs), a population with a high incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer. This pilot study, which will also appear in the print version of the December issue of Dermatologic Surgery, was conducted by researchers at the University of Minnesota Department of Dermatology and found that the median number of SCCs was reduced by 79 percent at 12 months after cyclic Levulan PDT treatment and by 95 percent at 24 months, when compared to the pre-PDT year measurement date.

"These results are another step forward in managing and improving the health of SOTR patients who have a much higher risk than the general population of developing SCCs, a skin cancer that is often times deadly in this patient population," said Andrea Willey, M.D., study investigator, Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of California, Davis and practicing dermatologic surgeon at the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of Northern California and Solano Dermatology Associates.

SCC, the second most common nonmelanoma skin cancer, has been associated with higher mortality rates( )in an at-risk population, like SOTRs. According to medical literature, these patients tend to develop multiple tumors that may be more likely to spread due to suppressed immune systems.( )For these patients, proactively managing the disease becomes a priority in order to reduce the risk of developing invasive SCCs.

"As we have previously stated, we were encouraged enough by the results of this study, which are now published, to have initiated a DUSA sponsored, multi-center study to explore the potential benefits of Levulan PDT in this patient population," said Bob Doman, DUSA's President and Chief Executive Officer. "DUSA is excited to be repeating the protocol used at the University of Minnesota in this pilot study to see whether the results can be duplicated in our Phase II study."