Multicenter retrospective study of vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy in low-risk prostate cancer

A retrospective multicenter study in Italy evaluated vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy among 13 patients with low-risk prostate cancer. There were no significant complications during treatment or 15 months of follow-up. The median PSA value decreased from 7.38 ng/ml at baseline to 4.93 ng/ml at three months and 3.8 ng/ml at fifteen months. At nine months after treatment 12 of 13 patients (92.7%) had PSA decreases (average: – 3.57 ng/ml). Patients showed improvements on International Prostate Symptom Score, International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire, and quality of life score. The authors conclude that vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy is a safe and effective alternative to active surveillance in patients with low-risk prostate cancer.