The present invention is directed to a system and method for photoeradication of microorganisms from a target. The method includes the step of obtaining test data for a plurality of experiments each of which comprises irradiating test microorganisms with a plurality of light pulses having a wavelength that ranges from 380 nm to 500 nm. The light pulses have a plurality of pulse parameters (peak irradiance, pulse duration, and off time between adjacent light pulses) and are provided at a radiant exposure that ranges from 0.5 J/cm.sup.2 to 60 J/cm.sup.2 during each of a plurality of irradiation sessions. The test data comprises a survival rate for the test microorganisms after irradiation with the light pulses. The method also includes the step of analyzing the test data to identify the pulse parameters for the light pulses and the radiant exposure for each of the irradiation sessions that result in a desired survival rate for the test microorganisms. The method further includes the step of irradiating the microorganisms of the target with light pulses having the identified pulse parameters at the identified radiant exposure for each of the irradiation sessions so as to photoeradicate all or a portion of the microorganisms.

The present invention provides compositions comprising energy (e.g., light) absorbing submicron particles (e.g., nanoparticles comprising a silica core and a gold shell) and methods for delivering such particles via topical application. This delivery is facilitated by application of mechanical agitation (e.g. massage), acoustic vibration in the range of 10 Hz-20 kHz, ultrasound, alternating suction and pressure, and microjets. The method of treatment is performed and then, depending upon the desired clinical outcome, repeated after a treatment response interval has elapsed.

The invention relates to the use of a photosensitive agent, or the precursor thereof, capable of producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the production of a drug that can be used for the photodynamic therapy (PDT)-based treatment of a disease related to a patient's stem cells, preferably epidermal stem cells.

The present invention relates to the use of a photoactivatable Porphyrin-Derivative in extracorporeal photophoresis (ECP) treatment, in which a patient's blood or part of it containing sad Porphyrin-derivative is/are exposed to light of a wavelength which activates said photoactivatable Porphyrin-Derivative.

This invention relates to a neoadjuvant therapy for bladder cancer in bladder cancer patients who are scheduled for a cystectomy and methods of carrying out such a neoadjuvant therapy. In particular, the invention relates to a composition comprising hexyl 5-ALA ester (HAL) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for use in a neoadjuvant therapy for bladder cancer in a bladder cancer patient who is scheduled for a cystectomy, the therapy comprises instilling said composition into the bladder of said patient and exposing the inside of said bladder to light.

The present disclosure provides new salts of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) and new salts of 5-ALA esters, their preparation, formulation and use as photosensitizing agents in photodynamic therapy, diagnosis and cosmetic cares.

Disclosed are methods of producing ultrasound waves for providing sonodynamic therapy. The method includes coupling a sonodynamic therapy device with an array of piezoelectric transducer elements to a skin surface. A controller is configured to generate an electrical drive signal to produce ultrasound waves to activate a sonosensitizer in a treatment region without damaging healthy cells in the treatment region.

It is disclosed an improved transdermal sunscreen composition including porphyrin, porphyrin analogues and/or porphyrin precursors (particularly 5-aminolevulinic acid, ALA) in a subtherapeutic dose in combination with vitamin D3 or its analogues/derivatives in a transdermal carrier or carrier system to generate biomedical effects on reducing photodamaged skin conditions, inducing skin rejuvenation and compensating vitamin D3 for sunscreen-mediated vitamin D3 reduction/deficiency while simultaneously blocking harmful UV radiation from reaching and harming DNA in the cells of the skin.

Products, compositions, systems, and methods for modifying a target structure which mediates or is associated with a biological activity, including treatment of conditions, disorders, or diseases mediated by or associated with a target structure, such as a virus, cell, subcellular structure or extracellular structure. The methods may be performed in situ in a non-invasive manner by placing a nanoparticle having a metallic shell on at least a fraction of a surface in a vicinity of a target structure in a subject and applying an initiation energy to a subject thus producing an effect on or change to the target structure directly or via a modulation agent. The nanoparticle is configured, upon exposure to a first wavelength .sub.1, to generate a second wavelength .sub.2 of radiation having a higher energy than the first wavelength .sub.1. The methods may further be performed by application of an initiation energy to a subject in situ to activate a pharmaceutical agent directly or via an energy modulation agent, optionally in the presence of one or more plasmonics active agents, thus producing an effect on or change to the target structure. Kits containing products or compositions formulated or configured and systems for use in practicing these methods.

This invention relates to a neoadjuvant therapy for bladder cancer in bladder cancer patients who are scheduled for a cystectomy and methods of carrying out such a neoadjuvant therapy. In particular the invention relates to a composition comprising hexyl 5-ALA ester (HAL) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for use in a neoadjuvant therapy for bladder cancer in a bladder cancer patient who is scheduled for a cystectomy, the therapy comprises instilling said composition into the bladder of said patient and exposing the inside of said bladder to light.