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APPENDICES - NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme

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260<br />

Appendix 17<br />

Study details Population details Treatment details Results Interpretation<br />

Authors’ conclusions Despite the limitations<br />

of a non-randomised study, photosensitisation<br />

with Photosan seems to be more effective<br />

in PDT of advanced oesophageal carcinoma<br />

compared with ALA<br />

Brief study appraisal The conclusions that<br />

could be drawn were limited as this was a small,<br />

non-randomised study. Baseline characteristics<br />

were largely similar apart from M stage and the<br />

authors’ cautious conclusions appear reliable.<br />

This study appears to have been published twice<br />

(see ref. 120) with Photosan being described<br />

as HpD. The patients, treatments and results<br />

appear to be identical, therefore only one study<br />

has been data extracted<br />

Mortality Median survival for<br />

ALA group was 8 mth vs 9mth,<br />

p = 0.44 (Kaplan–Meier survival<br />

curve in paper)<br />

Morbidity At 1 mth, there was<br />

significantly more improvement<br />

in the ALA group than the<br />

Photosan group for the following<br />

outcomes: dysphagia (p = 0.02),<br />

tumour stenosis (p = 0.00000)<br />

and tumour length (p = 0.000014)<br />

QoL and return to normal<br />

activity Karnovsky Performance<br />

status improved by 23% for<br />

ALA vs 44% for Photosan, not<br />

significant (p = 0.12)<br />

AEs No barotrauma of<br />

the ear was observed. No<br />

sunburn occurred in either<br />

group. There were no major<br />

AEs. 30-day mortality was 0%.<br />

Minor complications were:<br />

postinterventional odynophagia<br />

(nine in ALA group vs 13); fever<br />

up to 39° in the afternoon of the<br />

interventional day (five vs eight);<br />

chest pain for 1 or 2 d (nine vs<br />

13). After ALA administration all<br />

patients experienced nausea<br />

Resource use Hospitalisation<br />

was 4–6 d in both treatment<br />

groups<br />

Trial treatments ALA- PDT vs PDT with<br />

Photosan (HpD). Both performed with<br />

additional hyperbaric oxygenation<br />

Intervention ALA–PDT: Diagnostic<br />

work-up was performed using barium<br />

oesophagogram, oesophagogastroscopy,<br />

bronchoscopy and CT scans. Oral<br />

administration of ALA (60 mg/kg) then skin<br />

protection by camouflage for 24 hr. 6–8 hr<br />

after ALA, PDT was carried out using a fibre<br />

with 2-cm tip radial light-diffusing cylinder,<br />

inserted through the biopsy channel of the<br />

endoscope. Light dose was 300 J/cm fibre<br />

and 630-nm light was applied by KTP-Nd:<br />

YAG laser having a DYE module. Additional<br />

hyperbaric oxygenation was applied<br />

(after an ear, nose and throat check-up)<br />

at level 2 ATA using a Scuba valve system.<br />

Treatment was performed under short-term<br />

intravenous anaesthesia. Endoscopy was<br />

performed 2–3 d after PDT and necrotic<br />

tissue removed. Endoscopy was then<br />

performed after 1 mth, then every 3 mth.<br />

Increased tumour length and dysphagia at<br />

FU indicated further PDT treatment. No<br />

treatment was repeated within 3 mth after<br />

the 1st PDT session<br />

Comparator Photosan-PDT: As for ALA–<br />

PDT except intravenous administration of<br />

Photosan (2 mg/kg), 48 hr before PDT<br />

Treatment intention<br />

Palliative<br />

Type(s) of cancer and<br />

histology Advanced<br />

oesophageal cancer<br />

Main eligibility<br />

criteria Patients that<br />

were not eligible for<br />

resection treatment due<br />

to poor performance<br />

status, functional and/or<br />

anatomical inoperability,<br />

and/or refusing surgery<br />

were included<br />

Patient characteristics<br />

% Male: 78<br />

Age range: 46–88 yr<br />

Mean age: ALA, 69 yr;<br />

Photosan 68 yr<br />

Cancer stage: III, 17; IV<br />

32. Dysphagia score<br />

varied with most in level<br />

2 or 3 but no significant<br />

differences<br />

Overall there were 13<br />

SCC, 14 adenocarcinoma<br />

Further patient<br />

characteristics were<br />

reported<br />

Concomitant<br />

treatment Not stated<br />

Authors Maier et<br />

al. (2001) 118<br />

Linked<br />

publications120 Data source Full<br />

published paper<br />

Country Austria<br />

Language English<br />

Study design<br />

Non-RCT<br />

No. of<br />

participants<br />

Total: 49<br />

Intervention: 22<br />

(ALA–PDT)<br />

Comparator: 27<br />

(Photosan-PDT)<br />

No. of recruiting<br />

centres Not<br />

stated<br />

Follow-up period<br />

and frequency FU<br />

at 1 mth, then every<br />

3 mth<br />

ATA, atmosphere absolute.

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