Safety and Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy for Bile Duct Invasion of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

As more therapies are available for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the survival rate has improved. The incidence of jaundice in patients with HCC is reported as 5-44%, and substantial number of patients experience obstructive jaundice. With the improvement of survival in patients with HCC, it is not uncommon to encounter HCC patients with obstructive jaundice in clinical practice.

The prognosis of patients with obstructive jaundice caused by HCC is dismal due to progressive liver failure, rapid tumor progression and ineffective biliary drainage. The mean survival of HCC with obstructive jaundice after biliary drainage ranges from 2.5 to 4.5 months. Effective biliary drainage to improve jaundice and liver function is inevitably needed for further treatment. However, it is difficult to maintain the patency of the bile duct because recurrent obstruction frequently develops due to hemobilia.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with biliary drainage is a promising treatment option for advanced cholangiocarcinoma. Presence of the photosensitizer only itself is nontoxic, but showing light with specific wavelengths can induce cytotoxicity. The systemically administrated photosensitizer accumulates preferentially in proliferating tissue. If this targeted lesion is then illuminated by light of a specific wavelength, the activated photosensitizer generates reactive oxygen species, which trigger cell death by apoptosis and necrosis of the cells in the specific area. Experience with PDT in cholangiocarcinoma suggests that a survival benefit can be achieved by prolonged relief of the obstruction.

The investigators hypothesized that conducting PDT with biliary stenting in patients with obstructive jaundice caused by bile duct invasion of HCC would improves stent patency and other clinical outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PDT in HCC patients with bile duct invasion.

Inclusion criteria

• Known HCC: Diagnosis of HCC based on the 2005 AASLD (American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases) practice guidelines
• Unresectable HCC: Determined based on the BCLC (Barcelona-Clinic-Liver-Cancer) staging and treatment system
• Bile duct invasion of HCC: Confirmed by pathology via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram (ERCP) or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD). In case pathological diagnosis is clinically impossible, confirmed by dynamic CT or MRI showing that typical arterial enhancing mass in dilated bile duct and previous HCC diagnosis.

Exclusion criteria

• Severe renal disease
• Severe cardiac disease
• Bleeding tendency
• Porphyria