Novel Treatment for Port Wine Stain Birthmarks

Pulsed dye laser is currently the standard of care treatment for Port wine stains. Researchers at University of California Irvine at Beckman Laser Institute Medical Clinic can use Photodynamic therapy, another treatment option for Port wine stains. Photodynamic therapy involves light activation of a photosensitizer (a drug that is responsive to light or radiant energy). Because the photosensitizer can be localized to a desired portion of the Port wine stain, Photodynamic therapy creates an opportunity for targeted destruction of Port wine stains.

Researchers will use a photosensitizer medication called Talaporfin sodium, an intravenously administered investigational photosensitizer, being evaluated for multiple clinical indications. Photodynamic therapy with talaporfin sodium has been investigated for many different conditions, and can be used for treatment for Port wine stains. Photosensitivity precaution instructions will be provided, including appropriate photo protective clothing, protective hat and sunglasses that wrap around the temples to help minimize lateral sun light exposure when traveling home following discharge from the study site.

For efficacy, evaluated study variable will be Port wine stain blanching, and the researchers can use diffuse reflectance imaging chromametry, Laser Speckle Imaging and Spatial Frequency Domain Imaging to measure the change of Port wine stain blanching. The maximum power of the Laser Speckle Imaging and Spatial Frequency Domain Imaging light source is 10-50 mW, which is comparable to halogen-bulb household flashlights. Efficacy will be evaluated based on comparison of pre-treatment visit and post treatment day 1, week 1, week 4, and week 12 measurements.