The present invention is related to a pulse photodynamic therapy (or pulse PDT) treatment of photodamaged skin.

The invention relates to a dissolution chamber (10) for use with a catheter for dissolving and preparing an aqueous solution of a water-soluble photosensitizing agent for installation into the bladder, e.g. for use in photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) or photodynamic therapy (PDT) of bladder cancer and to a method for preparing a liquid pharmaceutical preparation for delivery into a patient's bladder which includes the use of said dissolution chamber (10).

The invention provides mitochondria-targeted chemiluminescent agents and their use in methods of photodynamic therapy (PDT). In particular, the invention provides compounds of general formula (I), and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts: (I) in which A represents a chemiluminescent moiety; each L, which may be the same or different, is either a direct bond or a linker; each B, which may be the same or different, represents a mitotropic moiety; n is an integer from 1 to 3, preferably 1; and x is an integer from 1 to 3, preferably 1. Such compounds find particular use in the treatment of deeply-sited tumours, e.g. glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), when used in combination with a photosensitizer or photosensitizer precursor.

ALB].sub.n].sub.X  (I)

Photodynamic therapy-based methods of treating diseases such as cancer and malaria are disclosed. These methods include administering 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), luminol and artemisinin (ART). ART and ALA administered in combination with luminol can kill malaria parasites without host toxicity. In some aspects, the methods further include administration of a luminol enhancer such as 4-iodophenol. The disclosed methods can also be used to remove potential malaria pathogens from the blood supply.

A composition for photodynamic therapy or diagnosis includes a photosensitizer-metallic nanosheet complex. In a case of using a folic acid-loaded metallic nanosheet, a poorly-soluble photosensitizer may be effectively loaded, thus to increase solubility and the photosensitizer may not be degraded in blood during in vivo administration but may maintain stability, thereby inhibiting imprudent release of the photosensitizer. Further, the nanosheet entered into the cancer cells may be substantially completely degraded by glutathione (GSH) present at a high concentration in the cancer cells. Therefore, it is expected that using the photosensitizer-metallic nanosheet complex may drastically reduce a dose of an anticancer agent while having little side effects and may enable effective treatment, thereby achieving a novel concept in anticancer therapeutic effects.

A method of enhancing penetration of a topical composition of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) into tissue for photodynamic therapy includes topically applying ALA to a treatment area to be treated with photodynamic therapy. The method further includes, after the ALA is applied to the treatment area, covering the treatment area with a low density polyethylene barrier. The treatment area is covered with the low density polyethylene barrier prior to light treatment to minimize transepidermal water loss from the treatment area.

An applicator for dispensing a solution having two or more components includes a hollow body having a head provided at one end of the hollow body for dispersion of the solution and a breaking mechanism attached to the hollow body. The breaking mechanism includes at least one projection extendable into an interior of the hollow body. The applicator further includes a plurality of ampoules placed in the interior of the hollow body. The plurality of ampoules contains the two or more components. Upon activation of the breaking mechanism, the at least one projection applies a force to the plurality of ampoules such that the plurality of ampoules break and release the two or more components to form the solution.

An irradiation device for insertion into an orifice of the body for providing photodynamic therapy or diagnosis comprises: a housing 1, 21, 31, 51, 61, 71 adapted to be fully inserted and secured in the orifice, the housing 1, 21, 31, 51, 61, 71 enclosing an LED lamp system 5, 25, 35, 45, 54, 62, 72 and a power source 41, 68, 78, for powering the LED lamp system 5, 25, 35, 45, 54, 62, 72, wherein the device is independently operational while located within the orifice.

The present invention is directed to new 5-ALA derivatives, particles and formulation thereof, related methods of preparation and methods of use thereof. In particular, the invention relates to compounds of the invention, particles and formulation thereof useful in the treatment of a cancer and/or the diagnosis of a cancer cell such as in photodynamic therapy or photodynamic diagnosis.

The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical topical gel solution that contains 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) and an aqueous low viscous gel matrix. This invention also relates to a pharmaceutical preparation containing this composition. The formulation of this type can be used in photodynamic therapy as well as in the photodynamic detection of abnormally proliferating cells.