Hematoporphyrin derivative and its newly purified form, dihematoporphyrin ether, have been shown to localize selectively in malignant tissues and virally induced papillomas. Its use as a probe to distinguish tumors from normal tissues has been largely based on its fluorescence when activated by UV light. These findings are largely subjective, and a direct correlation to its use as a photosensitizing agent to selectively kill transformed cells when activated by an appropriate wavelength of light could not be made. The efficacy of dihematoporphyrin ether photodynamic therapy to selectively kill papillomavirus-transformed cells is based on the increased localization of dihematoporphyrin ether within these tissues as compared with normal tissues. Using cottontail rabbit papillomavirus, cutaneous papillomas were induced on the backs of Dutch belted rabbits. Dihematoporphyrin ether was labeled with indium 111 and intravenously injected into the rabbits. The animals were scanned twice daily for indium 111 activity on a large-field-of-view gamma camera. At 50 hours after injection, the rabbits were killed and papillomas, skin, and major organs collected for biodistribution studies. The results of this study and their relationship to dihematoporphyrin ether photodynamic therapy for the treatment of virally induced papilloma disease is discussed.