Photodynamic therapy using talaporfin sodium for malignant meningioma

Grade 2 and 3 meningiomas recur early and there is no effective post-treatment other than radiation. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) using talaporfin sodium selectively kills tumor cells and improves local tumor control. In this article, we present our treatment strategy with PDT for malignant meningioma. 14 patients with grade 2 or 3 meningiomas treated using PDT were analyzed. PDT was performed mainly on the adherent dura mater, but also on the parenchymal side of the brain when the border with the normal brain was unclear. There were no adverse events due to PDT. Regardless of grade, the patients who had a history of radiotherapy prior to treatment tend to relapse as early as one year. On the other hand, in the absence of a history of radiotherapy, recurrence is often absent for more than 1.5 years. PDT for malignant meningiomas is effective in patients with no prior radiotherapy.