Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin is able to induce tumor cell necrosis in human uveal melanomas.
Methods: On four eyes with an uveal melanoma, PDT with verteporfin was performed on the tumor 2-3 days before planned enucleation. The eyes were evaluated histologically.
Results: In two melanomas with only mild pigmentation some effects after PDT were detected on tumor tissue in a depth up to 2.5 mm at light doses > or =100 J/cm(2). Histologically, vascular occlusion and thrombosis in tumor vessels were observed. In the heavily pigmented melanoma no tumor necrosis was induced with the above-mentioned parameters.
Conclusion: Depending on treatment parameters and tumor pigmentation, PDT with verteporfin is able to induce tumor necrosis in human uveal melanomas. Based on these results it is possible that PDT can become an adjuvant treatment method for uveal melanoma.