New photodynamic therapy protocol to treat AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with phenotiazinium compounds (methylene blue and toluidine blue) and excitation by a non-coherent light source (RL50) to treat AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma (Sk-AIDS).

BACKGROUND DATA: Sk-AIDS is a malignant disease that is recurrent in AIDS patients. Laser-based PDT protocols have been applied to treat Sk-AIDS with relative success.

METHODS

A single patient with multiple lesions who had undergone chemotherapy without success was treated with several applications of PDT, and the patient was closely evaluated. The PDT protocol consisted of injecting a mixture of phenotiazinium compounds into the lesions and applying RL50 at 18 J/cm(2).

RESULTS

Complete remission with excellent cosmetic result was observed. This result was discussed in terms of the known mechanisms of PDT action and compared with other PDT protocols.

CONCLUSION

This inexpensive PDT protocol, which is based on phenothiazinium compounds and RL50, is efficient to treat Sk-AIDS.