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Despite improvements in many areas, pancreatic cancer still carries a dismal survival rate. A recent phase 1 trial evaluated endoscopic ultrasound-guided photodynamic therapy (EUS-PDT) in 12 patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer.
All patients received an injection of a photosensitizing agent (porfimer sodium) 2 days prior to undergoing EUS-PDT. During the procedure, a 19-gauge needle was used to access the tumors, and a light-diffuser catheter was passed into the target tumors; PDT was delivered using 630 nm laser light. CT scan 18 days after PDT was done to assess for change in pancreatic necrosis. Nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine were initiated 1 week after the CT and given until disease progression or significant toxicity develop…