temoporfin

Temoporfin is a synthetic photosensitizer based on chlorin used in photodynamic therapy for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. After intravenous administration, temoporfin accumulates in tumor tissue and is activated by nonthermal red light at 652 nm. Upon activation by light in the presence of oxygen, it generates highly reactive oxygen species that cause oxidative damage to cellular components such as proteins and DNA, leading to targeted tumor cell death. This mechanism allows selective destruction of illuminated tumor tissue while sparing surrounding healthy tissues. Temoporfin is marketed under the brand name Foscan and was first approved in Europe in 2001 for patients unsuitable for surgery or radiotherapy[1][2][4][5][7].

Brand names

Foscan

Other names

meso-tetrahydroxyphenylchlorin2,3-dihydro-5,10,15,20-tetra(m-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin