Light-induced killing of carcinoma cells
US4651739A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 8, 1985 |
| Grant date | Mar 24, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 8, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61P43/00
- WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method of killing carcinoma cells associated normal cells using light of a predetermined wavelength. The method includes contacting the cells with a chromophor at a given concentration. The chromophor is positively charged and sufficiently lipophilic to be taken up by the mitochondria of the carcinoma cells and is retained substantially longer in the mitochondria of carcinoma cells than in normal cell mitochondria; or it may be taken up in greater quantity by the carcinoma cells than by the normal cells. The chromophor must also have a therapeutic index for light-induced cell killing of at least 500 for light of the predetermined wavelength, and has a therapeutic ratio for light-induced killing of at least 50 for light of said pre-determined wavelength. The cells are then exposed to light of this wavelength.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.