Photodynamic Therapy Using HPPH in Treating Patients With Dysplasia, Cancer in Situ, or Invasive Cancer of the Larynx

OBJECTIVES:

Primary

• To determine the maximum tolerated dose of laser light therapy using a fixed dose of HPPH in patients with dysplasia, squamous cell carcinoma in situ, or T1 squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx.

Secondary

• To determine response in patients treated with this regimen.

OUTLINE: This is a dose-escalation study of laser light therapy.

Patients undergo photodynamic therapy comprising HPPH IV over 1 hour on day 1 and laser light therapy to the tumor on day 2. Approximately 8 weeks later, patients with a partial response, no response, or a geographical miss may receive a second course of treatment.

After completion of study treatment, patients are followed at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and then periodically thereafter.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Biopsy-confirmed diagnosis of 1 of the following:

• Mild to severe dysplasia of the larynx

• Dysplastic lesions > 3 mm in thickness
• Squamous cell carcinoma in situ of the larynx
• T1 squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx

• Tumor > 3 mm in thickness
• No T2-T4 squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx
• Newly diagnosed or recurrent disease

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• ECOG performance status 0-2
• Total bilirubin > 2.0 mg/dL
• Creatinine > 2.0 mg/dL
• SGOT > 3 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• Alkaline phosphatase > 3 times ULN
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3-6 months after completion of study treatment
• No porphyria
• No hypersensitivity to porphyrin or porphyrin-like compounds

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• Any prior therapy allowed
• At least 4 weeks since prior and no concurrent chemotherapy or radiotherapy