CHAPTER 25: Vascular-Targeted Photodynamic Therapy in Prostate Cancer: From Bench to Clinic

This chapter describes the bench to bedside development of Vascular-Targeted Photodynamic Therapy (VTP) using the novel sensitizer WST11 for treatment of patients presented with early stage prostate cancer (PCa). Following recent paradigm shifts in cancer management we underscore new opportunities for introducing photodynamic therapy (PDT) into mainstay cancer therapy. The pathophysiology of PCa is presented and early attempts to treat localized disease by PDT of the whole gland are described. Next, we focus on the evolving focal/local therapy approach. In this frame the application of WST11 VTP is compared with alternative thermal approaches. Then, the preclinical and clinical development of WST11 VTP for the treatment of localized PCa (LPCa), are described. Finally, we summarize the objectives and endpoints of phase III clinical trials that led to the recent approval for clinical use of WST11 VTP against early stage PCa in Central America. The chapter is concluded by a brief description of the ongoing and future research that aim at application of WST11 VTP and combined with immune modulation to additional oncological indications.