Determination of hypericin in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography after intravesical administration in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

In the present study, the systemic absorption of hypericin was investigated after intravesical instillation of the compound in nine patients with superficial transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) bladder tumors. Hypericin (8 microM) was instilled in the bladder for 2-3 h before photodynamic diagnosis of bladder tumors. Blood was then collected from a peripheral vein 1 h after termination of the instillation.

Whole bladder wall photodynamic therapy of transitional cell carcinoma rat bladder tumors using intravesically administered hypericin.

Whole-bladder wall photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising treatment for carcinoma in situ (CIS) and diffuse premalignant changes of the bladder. After the results of our clinical studies showing that intravesical hypericin selectively accumulates in superficial bladder tumors, we investigated the hypericin-PDT efficacy in an AY-27 orthotopic transitional cell carcinoma rat bladder tumor model. After the instillation of hypericin (30 microM, 2 hr) in the bladder, tumors were irradiated (25-50 mW/cm 6-48 J/cm(2)) using 595 nm laser light.

Microscopic quantification of hypercin fluorescence in an orthotopic rat bladder tumor model after intravesical instillation.

We have previously investigated the possibility of using hypericin as a diagnostic tool for the fluorescence detection of flat bladder carcinoma. In these clinical studies, it was shown that following intravesical application in humans, hypericin becomes selectively localized in transitional papillary carcinoma and carcinoma in situ (CIS). In the present study, we characterized the biodistribution of hypericin in rat bladder tumor and normal bladder layers after intravesical administration.

Overexpression of fatty acid synthase is an early and common event in the development of prostate cancer.

The expression of fatty acid synthase (FAS), a key lipogenic enzyme and potential target for antineoplastic therapy, was analyzed in 87 frozen needle biopsies of prostate cancer using a highly sensitive immunohistochemical detection technique (Envision). In comparison to normal or benign, hyperplastic glandular structures, which were all negative for FAS staining, immunohistochemical signal was evident in 24/25 low grade prostatic epithelial neoplasia (PIN) lesions, in 26/26 high grade PIN lesions and in 82/87 invasive carcinomas. Staining intensity tended to increase from low grade to high grade PIN to invasive carcinoma.

Biodistribution of hypericin in orthotopic transitional cell carcinoma bladder tumors: implication for whole bladder wall photodynamic therapy.

In a recent clinical study, we reported a selective uptake of hypericin in superficial bladder tumors. The results suggested that hypericin, a potent photosensitizer, could be used not only for diagnosis but also for photodynamic therapy (PDT) of superficial bladder tumors. In the present study, we investigated the biodistribution of hypericin in an orthotopic rat bladder tumor model by assessing the extent of hypericin penetration and the kinetics of accumulation into rat bladder tumors and normal bladder wall.