Hematoporphyrin (20-120 nM; 60 min) dose-dependently inhibits cell viability in U87 and U251 glioma cells, with IC ₅₀ s of 85 and 166 nM, respectively.
Hematoporphyrin (85 nM; 60 min) induces cell apoptosis via induction of ROS in U87 cells.
Hematoporphyrin (85 nM; 60 min) induces morphological changes of U87 cells under the red light, including shrinking, fragmentation.

Hematoporphyrin (5-10 mg/kg; i.p. for 2 months) with the irradiation of red light rapidly decreases the tumor size of rats, due to necrosis caused both by direct action of the photoactivated porphyrin on the tumor cells and by secondary effects on blood vessels.