A trial of photodynamic therapy for biliary tree cancer (PHOTOSTENT 01)

This trial was looking at photodynamic therapy (PDT) for biliary tree cancer (bile duct cancer or gallbladder cancer).

Bile duct cancers (cholangiocarcinoma) and gallbladder cancers are known together as biliary tree cancers. If it is not possible to remove these cancers with surgery, or they have spread to other parts of the body, they can be very difficult to treat. But doctors are looking for new ways to control the symptoms of biliary tree cancer.

In this trial, they looked at photodynamic therapy to treat the symptoms of biliary tree cancers. When you have PDT, you take a drug which makes your cells more sensitive to light. About 48 hours later, the doctors shine a laser light onto your cancer cells.

Earlier clinical trials had suggested that PDT could help people with bile duct cancer. In this trial, the researchers wanted to learn more about the safety of PDT and how well it worked as a treatment for biliary tree cancer that could not be removed with surgery.