Pre-activated therapeutic agents derived from photoactive compounds

Claim 2

A pre-activated therapeutic agent comprising: (a) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; (b) a photoactive compound dissolved in said pharmaceutically acceptable carrier producing a resultant solution, said photoactive compound being characterized in that it has at least one chromophore and that it is susceptible to activation by an activating agent; and (c) said resultant solution being subjected to a sufficient amount of activating agent prior to being brought into contact with body tissue to be treated such that the photoactive compound is activated to produce a resultant therapeutic mixture, said therapeutic mixture being characterized in that, subsequent to activation, it has preferential affinity toward tumors or other pathogenic biological contaminants infecting said body tissue; that, subsequent to activation, it is capable of interacting with, and destroying, tumors or other pathogenic biological contaminants infecting said body tissue by contact therewith; that, subsequent to activation, it is, at effective dosages, relatively non-toxic to normal tissues or normal cells; and that its therapeutic properties are retained for at least a time sufficient to destroy said tumors or other pathogenic biological contaminants subsequent to activation.

Claim 3

A pre-activated therapeutic agent in accordance with claim 1 wherein said photoactive compound is selected from the group consisting of porphyrin, oxazine, thiazine, and cyanine.

Claim 4

A pre-activated therapeutic agent in accordance with claim 1 wherein said activating agent is selected from the group consisting of radiation energy, electromagnetic energy, and electrical energy.

Claim 5

A pre-activated therapeutic agent in accordance with claim 3 wherein said electromagnetic energy is selected from the group consisting of white light, ultraviolet light, gamma rays, and lasers.

Claim 6

A pre-activated therapeutic agent in accordance with claim 1 wherein said activating agent is a chemical compound capable of activating said photoactive compound.

Claim 7

A pre-activated therapeutic agent comprising: (a) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; (b) a photoactive compound dissolved in said pharmaceutically acceptable carrier producing a resultant solution, said photoactive compound being characterized in that it has at least one chromophore and that it is susceptible to activation by electromagnetic energy; and (c) said resultant solution being subjected to a sufficient amount of electromagnetic energy prior to being brought into contact with body tissue to be treated such that the photoactive compound is activated to produce a resultant therapeutic mixture, said therapeutic mixture being characterized in that, subsequent to activation, it has preferential affinity toward tumors or other pathogenic biological contaminants infecting said body tissue; that, subsequent to activation, it is capable of interacting with, and destroying, tumors or other pathogenic biological contaminants infecting said body tissue by contact therewith; that, subsequent to activation, it is, at effective dosages, relatively non-toxic to normal tissues or normal cells, and that its therapeutic properties are retained for at least a time sufficient to destroy said tumors or other pathogenic biological contaminants subsequent to activation.

Claim 8

A pre-activated therapeutic agent comprising: (a) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; (b) a photoactive compound dissolved in said pharmaceutically acceptable carrier producing a resultant solution, said photoactive compound being characterized in that it has at least one chromophore and that it is susceptible to activation by electromagnetic energy; and (c) said resultant solution being subjected to a sufficient amount of electromagnetic energy prior to being brought into contact with body tissue to be treated such that the photoactive compound is activated to produce a resultant therapeutic mixture, said therapeutic mixture being characterized in that, subsequent to activation, it has preferential affinity toward tumors or other pathogenic biological contaminants infecting said body tissue; that, subsequent to activation, it is capable of interacting with, and destroying, tumors or other pathogenic biological contaminants infecting said body tissue by contact therewith; that, subsequent to activation, it is, at effective dosages, relatively non-toxic to normal tissues or normal cells, and that its therapeutic properties are retained for at least a time sufficient to destroy said tumors or other pathogenic biological contaminants subsequent to activation.

Claim 9

A pre-activated therapeutic agent in accordance with claim 6 wherein said photoactive compound is selected from the group consisting of porphyrin, oxazine, thiazine, and cyanine.

Claim 10

A pre-activated therapeutic agent in accordance with claim 7 wherein said electromagnetic energy has a wavelength range of from about 350 nm to about 750 nm and an energy density from about 0.1 J/cm 2 to about 3000 J/cm 2 .

Claim 11

A pre-activated therapeutic agent comprising: (a) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; (b) a photoactive compound dissolved in said pharmaceutically acceptable carrier producing a resultant solution, said photoactive compound being characterized in that it has at least one chromophore and that it is susceptible to activation by an activating agent; (c) said resultant solution being subjected to a sufficient amount of activating agent prior to being brought into contact with body tissue to be treated such that the photoactive compound is activated to produce a resultant therapeutic mixture, said therapeutic mixture being characterized in that, subsequent to activation, it has preferential affinity toward tumors or other pathogenic biological contaminants infecting said body tissue; that, subsequent to activation, it is capable of interacting with, and destroying, tumors or other pathogenic biological contaminants infecting said body tissue by contact therewith; that, subsequent to activation, it is, at effective dosages, relatively non-toxic to normal tissues or normal cells, and that its therapeutic properties are retained for at least a time sufficient to destroy said tumors or other pathogenic biological contaminants subsequent to activation; and (d) a chemomodifying agent added to said resultant therapeutic mixture, said chemomodifying agent being characterized in that it is, at effective dosages, relatively non-toxic to normal tissues or normal cells and that it can augment the therapeutic effect of said resultant therapeutic mixture.

Claim 12

A pre-activated therapeutic agent comprising: (a) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; (b) a photoactive compound dissolved in said pharmaceutically acceptable carrier producing a resultant solution, said photoactive compound being characterized in that it has at least one chromophore and that it is susceptible to activation by an activating agent; (c) said resultant solution being subjected to a sufficient amount of activating agent prior to being brought into contact with body tissue to be treated such that the photoactive compound is activated to produce a resultant therapeutic mixture, said therapeutic mixture being characterized in that, subsequent to activation, it has preferential affinity toward tumors or other pathogenic biological contaminants infecting said body tissue; that, subsequent to activation, it is capable of interacting with, and destroying, tumors or other pathogenic biological contaminants infecting said body tissue by contact therewith; that, subsequent to activation, it is, at effective dosages, relatively non-toxic to normal tissues or normal cells, and that its therapeutic properties are retained for at least a time sufficient to destroy said tumors or other pathogenic biological contaminants subsequent to activation; and (d) a chemomodifying agent added to said resultant therapeutic mixture, said chemomodifying agent being characterized in that it is, at effective dosages, relatively non-toxic to normal tissues or normal cells and that it can augment the therapeutic effect of said resultant therapeutic mixture.

Claim 13

A pre-activated therapeutic agent in accordance with claim 9 wherein said photoactive compound is selected from the group consisting of porphyrin, oxazine, thiazine, and cyanine.

Claim 14

A pre-activated therapeutic agent in accordance with claim 9 wherein said activating agent is selected from the group consisting of radiation energy, electromagnetic energy, and electrical energy.

Claim 15

A pre-activated therapeutic agent in accordance with claim 11 wherein said electromagnetic energy is selected from the group consisting of white light, ultraviolet light, gamma rays, and lasers.

Claim 16

A pre-activated therapeutic agent in accordance with claim 9 wherein said chemomodifying agent is buthionine sulfoximine.

Claim 17

A therapeutic agent produced by a method comprising (a) dissolving dihematoporphyrin ether in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to produce a resultant solution; and (b) subjecting said resultant solution to a sufficient amount of irradiation in the wavelength of from about 300 nm to about 700 nm prior to being brought into contact with body tissue to be treated such that the dihematoporphyrin ether is activated to produce a resultant therapeutic mixture, and the therapeutic mixture being characterized in that subsequent to activation, it is capable of interacting with, and destroying, tumors or other pathogenic biological contaminants infecting the body tissue by contact therewith, subsequent to activation it is, at effective dosages, relatively non-toxic to normal tissue or normal cells, and its therapeutic properties are retained for at least about 10 seconds at room temperature subsequent to activation.

Claim 18

A therapeutic agent produced by a method comprising (a) dissolving dihematoporphyrin ether in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to produce a resultant solution; and (b) subjecting said resultant solution to a sufficient amount of irradiation in the wavelength of from about 300 nm to about 700 nm prior to being brought into contact with body tissue to be treated such that the dihematoporphyrin ether is activated to produce a resultant therapeutic mixture, and the therapeutic mixture being characterized in that subsequent to activation, it is capable of interacting with, and destroying, tumors or other pathogenic biological contaminants infecting the body tissue by contact therewith, subsequent to activation it is, at effective dosages, relatively non-toxic to normal tissue or normal cells, and its therapeutic properties are retained for at least about 10 seconds at room temperature subsequent to activation.

Claim 19

A therapeutic agent produced by a method comprising (a) dissolving n,n 1 -bis(2-ethyl-1,3-dioxolane)-kryptocyanine in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to produce a resultant solution; and (b) subjecting the resultant solution to a sufficient amount of irradiation of a wavelength of about 550 to 800 nm prior to contacting it with a body tissue to be treated such that the N,N'-bis(2-ethyl-1,3-dioxolane)-kryptocyanine is activated to produce a therapeutic mixture, the therapeutic mixture being characterized in that subsequent to activation it is capable of interacting with, and destroying, tumors or other pathogenic biological contaminants infecting the body tissue by contact therewith, subsequent to activation it is, at effective dosages, relatively non-toxic to normal tissue or normal cells, and its therapeutic properties are retained for at least about 10 seconds at room temperature subsequent to activation.

Claim 20

A therapeutic agent produced by a method comprising (a) dissolving n,n 1 -bis(2-ethyl-1,3-dioxolane)-kryptocyanine in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to produce a resultant solution; and (b) subjecting the resultant solution to a sufficient amount of irradiation of a wavelength of about 550 to 800 nm prior to contacting it with a body tissue to be treated such that the N,N'-bis(2-ethyl-1,3-dioxolane)-kryptocyanine is activated to produce a therapeutic mixture, the therapeutic mixture being characterized in that subsequent to activation it is capable of interacting with, and destroying, tumors or other pathogenic biological contaminants infecting the body tissue by contact therewith, subsequent to activation it is, at effective dosages, relatively non-toxic to normal tissue or normal cells, and its therapeutic properties are retained for at least about 10 seconds at room temperature subsequent to activation.

Claim 21

A therapeutic agent produced by a method comprising (a) dissolving methylene blue in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to produce a resultant solution; and (b) subjecting the resultant solution to a sufficient amount of irradiation of a wavelength of about 5450 to 800 nm prior to contacting it with body tissue to be treated such that the methylene blue is activated to produce a resultant therapeutic mixture, the therapeutic mixture being characterized in that subsequent to activation it is capable of interacting with, and destroying, tumors or other pathogenic biological contaminants infecting said body tissue by contact therewith, subsequent to activation it is, at effective dosages, relatively non-toxic to normal tissue or normal cells, and its therapeutic properties are retained for at least about 10 seconds at room temperature subsequent to activation.

Claim 22

A therapeutic agent produced by a method comprising (a) dissolving methylene blue in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to produce a resultant solution; and (b) subjecting the resultant solution to a sufficient amount of irradiation of a wavelength of about 5450 to 800 nm prior to contacting it with body tissue to be treated such that the methylene blue is activated to produce a resultant therapeutic mixture, the therapeutic mixture being characterized in that subsequent to activation it is capable of interacting with, and destroying, tumors or other pathogenic biological contaminants infecting said body tissue by contact therewith, subsequent to activation it is, at effective dosages, relatively non-toxic to normal tissue or normal cells, and its therapeutic properties are retained for at least about 10 seconds at room temperature subsequent to activation.

Claim 23

A therapeutic agent produced by a method comprising (a) dissolving a mono-acid derivative of a ring A fused porphyrin derived from a Diel-Alder adduct in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to produce a resultant solution; and (b) subjecting the resultant solution to a sufficient amount of irradiation of a wavelength of about 400 to 750 nm prior to contacting it with body tissue to be treated such that the mono-acid derivative of ring A fused porphyrin derived from a Diel-Alder adduct is activated to produce a resultant therapeutic mixture, the therapeutic mixture being characterized in that subsequent to activation it is capable of interacting with, and destroying, tumors or other pathogenic biological contaminants infecting said body tissue by contact therewith, subsequent to activation it is, at effective dosages, relatively non-toxic to normal tissue or normal cells, and its therapeutic properties are retained for at least about 10 seconds at room temperature subsequent to activation.

Claim 24

A therapeutic agent produced by a method comprising (a) dissolving a mono-acid derivative of a ring A fused porphyrin derived from a Diel-Alder adduct in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to produce a resultant solution; and (b) subjecting the resultant solution to a sufficient amount of irradiation of a wavelength of about 400 to 750 nm prior to contacting it with body tissue to be treated such that the mono-acid derivative of ring A fused porphyrin derived from a Diel-Alder adduct is activated to produce a resultant therapeutic mixture, the therapeutic mixture being characterized in that subsequent to activation it is capable of interacting with, and destroying, tumors or other pathogenic biological contaminants infecting said body tissue by contact therewith, subsequent to activation it is, at effective dosages, relatively non-toxic to normal tissue or normal cells, and its therapeutic properties are retained for at least about 10 seconds at room temperature subsequent to activation.

Claim 25

A pre-activated therapeutic agent in accordance with claim 2 wherein said porphyrin is selected from the group consisting of dihematoporphyrin ether, benzoporphyrin, metalloporphyrin, and mono-acid derivative of ring A fused porphyrin derived from Diel-Alder adduct.

Claim 26

A pre-activated therapeutic agent in accordance with claim 2 wherein said cyanine comprises Merocyanine 540.

Claim 27

A pre-activated therapeutic agent in accordance with claim 2 wherein said thiazine comprises Methylene Blue.

Claim 28

A pre-activated therapeutic agent in accordance with claim 2 wherein said cyanine comprises N,N'-bis(2-ethyl-1,3-dioxolane)kryptocyanine.

Claim 29

A pre-activated therapeutic agent in accordance with claim 7 wherein said porphyrin is selected from the group consisting of dihematoporphyrin ether, benzoporphyrin, metalloporphyrin, and mono-acid derivative of ring A fused porphyrin derived from Diel-Alder adduct.

Claim 30

A pre-activated therapeutic agent in accordance with claim 7 wherein said cyanine comprises Merocyanine 540.

Claim 31

A pre-activated therapeutic agent in accordance with claim 7 wherein said thiazine comprises Methylene Blue.

Claim 32

A pre-activated therapeutic agent in accordance with claim 7 wherein said cyanine comprises N,N'-bis(2-ethyl-1,3-dioxolane)kryptocyanine.

Claim 33

A pre-activated therapeutic agent in accordance with claim 10 wherein said porphyrin is selected from the group consisting of dihematoporphyrin ether, benzoporphyrin, metalloporphyrin, and mono-acid derivative of ring A fused porphyrin derived from Diel-Alder adduct.

Claim 34

A pre-activated therapeutic agent in accordance with claim 10 wherein said cyanine comprises Merocyanine 540.

Claim 35

A pre-activated therapeutic agent in accordance with claim 10 wherein said thiazine comprises Methylene Blue.

Claim 36

A pre-activated therapeutic agent in accordance with claim 10 wherein said cyanine comprises N,N'-bis(2-ethyl-1,3-dioxolane)kryptocyanine.

Claim 37

A pre-activated therapeutic agent comprising: (a) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; (b) a porphyrin compound dissolved in said pharmaceutically acceptable carrier producing a resultant solution; and (c) said resultant solution being subjected to a sufficient amount of activating agent prior to being brought into contact with body tissue to be treated such that said porphyrin compound is activated to produce a resultant therapeutic mixture, said therapeutic mixture being characterized in that subsequent to activation, it is capable of interacting with, and destroying, tumors or other pathogenic biological contaminants infecting said body tissue by contact therewith; that, subsequent to activation, it is, at effective dosages, relatively non-toxic to normal tissues or normal cells; and that its therapeutic properties are retained for at least a time sufficient to destroy said tumors, viruses or other pathogenic biological contaminants.

Claim 38

A pre-activated therapeutic agent comprising: (a) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; (b) a porphyrin compound dissolved in said pharmaceutically acceptable carrier producing a resultant solution; and (c) said resultant solution being subjected to a sufficient amount of activating agent prior to being brought into contact with body tissue to be treated such that said porphyrin compound is activated to produce a resultant therapeutic mixture, said therapeutic mixture being characterized in that subsequent to activation, it is capable of interacting with, and destroying, tumors or other pathogenic biological contaminants infecting said body tissue by contact therewith; that, subsequent to activation, it is, at effective dosages, relatively non-toxic to normal tissues or normal cells; and that its therapeutic properties are retained for at least a time sufficient to destroy said tumors, viruses or other pathogenic biological contaminants.

Claim 39

A pre-activated therapeutic agent in accordance with claim 30, wherein said porphyrin compound is selected from the group consisting of dihematoporphyrin ether and benzoporphyrin derivative.

Claim 40

A pre-activated therapeutic agent comprising: (a) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; (b) a thiazine compound dissolved in said pharmaceutically acceptable carrier producing a resultant solution; and (c) said resultant solution being subjected to a sufficient amount of activating agent prior to being brought into contact with body tissue to be treated such that said thiazine compound is activated to produce a resultant therapeutic mixture, said therapeutic mixture being characterized in that subsequent to activation, it is capable of interacting with, and destroying, tumors or other pathogenic biological contaminants infecting said body tissue by contact therewith; that, subsequent to activation, it is, at effective dosages, relatively non-toxic to normal tissues or normal cells; and that its therapeutic properties are retained for at least a time sufficient to destroy said tumors, viruses or other pathogenic biological contaminants.

Claim 41

A pre-activated therapeutic agent comprising: (a) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; (b) a thiazine compound dissolved in said pharmaceutically acceptable carrier producing a resultant solution; and (c) said resultant solution being subjected to a sufficient amount of activating agent prior to being brought into contact with body tissue to be treated such that said thiazine compound is activated to produce a resultant therapeutic mixture, said therapeutic mixture being characterized in that subsequent to activation, it is capable of interacting with, and destroying, tumors or other pathogenic biological contaminants infecting said body tissue by contact therewith; that, subsequent to activation, it is, at effective dosages, relatively non-toxic to normal tissues or normal cells; and that its therapeutic properties are retained for at least a time sufficient to destroy said tumors, viruses or other pathogenic biological contaminants.

Claim 42

A pre-activated therapeutic agent in accordance with claim 32, wherein said thiazine compound comprises Methylene Blue.

Claim 43

A pre-activated therapeutic agent comprising: (a) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; (b) a cyanine compound dissolved in said pharmaceutically acceptable carrier producing a resultant solution; and (c) said resultant solution being subjected to a sufficient amount of activating agent prior to being brought into contact with body tissue to be treated such that said cyanine compound is activated to produce a resultant therapeutic mixture, said therapeutic mixture being characterized in that subsequent to activation, it is capable of interacting with, and destroying, tumors or other pathogenic biological contaminants infecting said body tissue by contact therewith; that, subsequent to activation, it is, at effective dosages, relatively non-toxic to normal tissues or normal cells; and that its therapeutic properties are retained for at least a time sufficient to destroy said tumors, viruses or other pathogenic biological contaminants.

Claim 44

A pre-activated therapeutic agent comprising: (a) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; (b) a cyanine compound dissolved in said pharmaceutically acceptable carrier producing a resultant solution; and (c) said resultant solution being subjected to a sufficient amount of activating agent prior to being brought into contact with body tissue to be treated such that said cyanine compound is activated to produce a resultant therapeutic mixture, said therapeutic mixture being characterized in that subsequent to activation, it is capable of interacting with, and destroying, tumors or other pathogenic biological contaminants infecting said body tissue by contact therewith; that, subsequent to activation, it is, at effective dosages, relatively non-toxic to normal tissues or normal cells; and that its therapeutic properties are retained for at least a time sufficient to destroy said tumors, viruses or other pathogenic biological contaminants.

Claim 45

A pre-activated therapeutic agent in accordance with claim 34, wherein said cyanine compound is selected from the group consisting of Merocyanine 540 and N,N'-bis(2-ethyl-1,3-dioxolane)kryptocyanine.