Iranian researchers at Isfahan Drug Research Center have applied blood cells to produce an anticancer drug named 'porfimer sodium'.
Porfimer sodium generically known as photofrin is a synthetic derivative of hematoporphyrin with photodynamic properties.
Photofrin injections are absorbed by all body cells, including both normal and cancer cells. The drug which is activated after 2 or 3 days, gives normal cells enough time to degrade it.
The laser activation of the absorbed drug by tumor cells, produces oxygen radicals, resulting in cytotoxicity and the destruction of such cells.
When applied in the initial stages it is believed to treat lung, esophageal, stomach and bladder cancers. So far no serious side effects have been reported for the drug.
Today, Iran has become the second producer of porfimer sodium in the world.
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