VTP with bacteriochlorophyll derivatives- The evolution of a new platform for solid cancers therapy

The European Union recently approved vascular targeted photodynamic therapy (VTP) with TOOKAD, a bacteriochlorophyll derivative as first line treatment for low risk localized prostate cancer. Positive negotiations with the FDA are in progress. These reality marks the emergence of a new, transforming medical approach in prostate cancer therapy after more than a decade of extensive research. Investigator-initiated studies at WIS and MSKCC are now proving the broader application of this therapy for other human malignancies where current approaches could not be applied or have failed. Successful removal of malignant tumors in the urinary tract and esophagus and the concomitant preservation/recovering of the organ’s functionalities provide specific examples. These clinical findings suggest that TOOKAD VTP provides the long sought for platform for organ-sparing management of solid cancers at their localized stage where early removal could result in cancer cure but where surgery is inapplicable. We also showed that TOOKAD VTP of localized tumors in preclinical animal models elicits anti-tumor immunity that results in systemic cancer control, cure and vaccination when combined with immune oncology (IO) agents at metronomic regimens. These recent results have been recently translated to clinical trials in the metastatic setting. In my lecture I will describe milestones that mark the multi-disciplinary evolution of TOOKAD VTP from bench to clinic.