A light-activated medicine for photodynamic therapy of certain cancers
Porfimer sodium
A light-activated medicine used in photodynamic therapy for certain cancers, which makes the skin and eyes very sensitive to light for weeks.
What is Porfimer sodium?
Porfimer sodium is a specialist medicine used in photodynamic therapy, a treatment for certain cancers such as cancer of the food pipe (oesophagus). It is given into a vein and collects in the tumour; later, a special light is shone on the area to switch the medicine on and destroy the cancer cells. The most important thing to know is that it makes the skin and eyes extremely sensitive to light for several weeks, so strict light avoidance is essential to prevent severe burns and eye problems. It is used only within specialist cancer care.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Porfimer sodium — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Porfimer sodium is a specialist cancer medicine known as a photosensitiser, which means it is activated by light. It is used as part of photodynamic therapy for certain cancers, including cancer of the food pipe (oesophagus). It is given as an injection into a vein and, over the following days, builds up in the tumour. A special light, usually delivered through a thin tube, is then shone onto the cancer to activate the medicine and destroy the cancer cells. Because the medicine also makes the skin and eyes very sensitive to light all over the body, it is used only under specialist cancer care, with very clear instructions about avoiding light afterwards.
How it works
Porfimer sodium gathers in tumour tissue after it is injected. On its own it does nothing; it has to be switched on by light. When a specific light is shone onto the treated area, it activates the medicine, which then produces substances that damage and destroy the nearby cancer cells. Because some of the medicine also spreads through the skin and eyes, ordinary daylight and bright indoor light can switch it on there too, which is why the skin and eyes become very sensitive to light and can burn easily for several weeks until the medicine clears from the body.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturer.
A specialist medicine used in the UK as part of photodynamic therapy for certain cancers, such as cancer of the food pipe.
Practical use
How to take Porfimer sodium
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- It is given as an injection into a vein by your cancer team, with the activating light treatment carried out later.
- From the moment it is given, avoid direct sunlight and bright indoor light, as your skin and eyes become very sensitive.
- Cover your skin with clothing, gloves and a hat, and wear dark glasses, for as long as your team advises (usually weeks).
- Do not rely on sunscreen alone, as it does not give enough protection against this kind of light sensitivity.
- Follow your team's advice on gently and gradually testing your sensitivity to light before returning to normal.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Porfimer sodium
Advantages
- Offers a targeted way to treat certain cancers, such as cancer of the food pipe, by activating the medicine with light.
- Acts mainly where the activating light is shone, focusing the effect on the tumour.
- A useful option within specialist cancer care for selected people.
Disadvantages
- Makes the skin and eyes very sensitive to light for several weeks, needing strict light avoidance.
- Severe skin burns and eye problems can occur if light is not avoided properly.
- It is a specialist treatment with side effects that depend on the area treated.
Practical use
Good to know
The single most important point with porfimer sodium is that it makes the whole body's skin and eyes extremely sensitive to light for several weeks, so strict light avoidance is essential to prevent severe sunburn-like skin damage and eye problems. This means staying out of direct sunlight and bright indoor light, keeping skin covered with clothing, gloves and a hat, and wearing dark glasses, for as long as the specialist team advises — which is usually a number of weeks, not days. Ordinary sunscreen does not give enough protection against this kind of light sensitivity, so covering up is what matters. Gentle, gradual re-exposure to light is used to test sensitivity before returning to normal. The team will give detailed instructions, and other side effects depend on which part of the body is treated.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to porfimer or related substances should not be given it.
- It is not suitable for people who cannot avoid bright light for the required weeks afterwards.
- It is used with care, and under specialist judgement, in pregnancy.
- It is given only as part of specialist cancer care.
Monitoring
- Checking that strict light avoidance is being followed in the weeks after treatment.
- Reviewing how the treated area responds and watching for problems there.
- Gently testing light sensitivity before the person returns to normal light exposure.
Side effects
- Severe sensitivity of the skin and eyes to light, with a risk of sunburn-like damage if light is not avoided.
- Side effects in the treated area, such as pain, swelling or, in the food pipe, difficulty swallowing.
- A temporary rise in temperature or feeling generally unwell after treatment.
- Rarely, more serious problems in the treated area, which the team watches for.
Key interactions
- Other medicines that can increase sensitivity to light may add to the skin and eye sensitivity, so tell your team about them.
- Tell your team about all your medicines, as some may need review around the treatment.
- The main interaction to manage is with light itself, which activates the medicine.
Available as: A powder made up into a solution for injection into a vein, used with light treatment.
Answers
Porfimer sodium: frequently asked questions
What is porfimer sodium used for?
It is used in photodynamic therapy for certain cancers, such as cancer of the food pipe; the medicine collects in the tumour and is then switched on by a special light to destroy cancer cells.
Why do I have to avoid light afterwards?
Porfimer makes your skin and eyes extremely sensitive to light for several weeks, so avoiding sunlight and bright indoor light prevents severe burns and eye problems.
How long does the light sensitivity last?
It usually lasts a number of weeks, not days, while the medicine clears from your body; your team will tell you how long to keep covering up.
Is sunscreen enough to protect me?
No. Ordinary sunscreen does not give enough protection against this kind of light sensitivity, so covering up with clothing, a hat and dark glasses is what matters.
How does the treatment actually destroy the cancer?
The injected medicine gathers in the tumour and does nothing until a special light is shone on it; the light activates it to produce substances that destroy the nearby cancer cells.
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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