verteporfin + pembrolizumab + fluorouracil + irinotecan + leucovorin + oxaliplatin

This combination treatment approach, evaluated in a Phase II clinical trial at Mayo Clinic, integrates photodynamic priming (PDP) with immunotherapy and chemotherapy for patients with unresectable, locally advanced, or metastatic pancreatic cancer. The regimen consists of the photosensitizer verteporfin (Visudyne), the PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab (Keytruda), and the chemotherapy combination mFOLFIRINOX (modified fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin). Verteporfin is administered intravenously and subsequently activated by intratumoral laser light (690 nm) delivered via endoscopic ultrasound or CT guidance. This activation generates cytotoxic reactive oxygen species that induce localized tumor necrosis and are hypothesized to prime the tumor microenvironment, thereby enhancing the efficacy of the pembrolizumab-mediated immune response against pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Brand names

VisudyneKeytruda

Other names

Photodynamic Therapy-Mayo Clinic-pancreatic cancerPhotodynamic Priming and Pembrolizumab in Pancreatic CancerPDP + pembrolizumab + mFOLFIRINOX