The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods of killing cells. In particular examples, the method includes contacting a cell having a cell surface protein with a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody-IR700 molecule, wherein the antibody specifically binds to the cell surface protein, such as a tumor-specific antigen on the surface of a tumor cell. The cell is subsequently irradiated, such as at a wavelength of 660 to 740 nm at a dose of at least 1 J cm.sup.−2. The cell is also contacted with one or more therapeutic agents (such as an anti-cancer agent), for example about 0 to 8 hours after irradiating the cell, thereby killing the cell. Also provided are methods of imaging cell killing in real time, using fluorescence lifetime imaging. Also provided are wearable devices that include an article of clothing, jewelry, or covering; and an NIR LED incorporated into the article, which can be used with the disclosed methods.

A composition and method directed to the treatment of bacterial infections is provided.

Several gastrointestinal and gynecological malignancies have the potential to disseminate and grow in the peritoneal cavity. The occurrence of peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) has been shown to significantly decrease overall survival in patients. Treatment of residual microscopic disease remains a challenge with new anticancer modalities development. Now, the inventors propose an innovative therapeutic management of peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) that is bio-inspired and tumor-targeted by engineering MSC-derived EVs to encapsulate a photosensitizer (mTHPC) for improved photodynamic therapy efficiency and safety. In this work, the inventors first evaluated the biodistribution of EVs-mTHPC in a murine PC model and highlighted superior accumulation of mTHPC in the tumor compared to other mTHPC formulations (free drug and liposomal one (Foslip®). The effectiveness of PDT mediated by mTHPC vectorized in EVs has then been evaluated in PC. In accordance with pharmacokinetics, the results revealed both an enhanced light-induced therapeutic efficiency in terms of tumoral cytotoxicity, safety for surrounding tissue after laser irradiation, immunomodulation and improved survival time. Thus, the present invention relates to mesenchymal stem cell derived extracellular vesicles loaded with at least one photosensitizer and uses thereof for the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis.

A targetable nanoconstruct capable of simultaneously serving as a therapeutic platform for photodynamic therapy as well as an MR molecular imaging agent, free of heavy metal atoms. F3-cys targeting agent nanoconstructs, including 8PEGA-Ce6 NCs. A label-free 8PEGA nanoconstruct that can be directly and selectively imaged by MRI, using standard spin-echo imaging sequences with large diffusion magnetic field gradients to suppress the water signal.

Provided are compositions, combinations, and methods and uses for treating a subject having a tumor, lesion or cancer. In some aspects, the methods and uses include administering a targeting molecule that binds PD-L1, conjugated with phthalocyanine dye, such as IR700. In some aspects, after administration of the conjugate, a target area is illuminated with a wavelength of light suitable for the activation of the conjugate. In some aspects, the illumination leads to the killing of PD-L1-expressing cells. The provided embodiments result in growth inhibition, volume reduction, and elimination of tumors, lesions or cancers, including metastatic tumor cells, invasive tumor cells, heterogeneous tumors and/or tumors that are not responsive to and/or resistant to other therapies. The disclosure also relates to compositions, combinations, methods and uses for enhancing immune responses, such as anti-tumor or anti-cancer immune responses, for responses against tumor growth and for effective treatment of tumors, lesions or cancers.

The present inventions provides drug-drug conjugates, drug-porphyrin conjugates, nanoparticles of the conjugates, as well as modified nanoparticles having PEGylated exteriors or encapsulated by red blood cell vesicles. The conjugates, nanoparticles and nanocarriers are useful for treating cancers and other diseases, as well as for imaging diseased tissue or organs.

A method for decomposing a compound represented by Formula (1) includes irradiating the compound with X-rays in a presence of an electron donor:

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.111, R.sup.121, R.sup.131, and R.sup.141 each independently represent a monovalent organic group; p, q, r, and s each independently represent an integer of 0 or 1 to 4; in the case where two or more R.sup.111, R.sup.121, R.sup.131, and R.sup.141 are present, they may be identical to or different from one another or may be bonded to one another to form a ring; A.sup.101 represents a monovalent organic group; and A.sup.102 represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group). In the method, a photosensitive dye can be decomposed using an energy beam which can penetrate deeper into a living body than near-infrared light and activate the photosensitive dye.

The present disclosure provides nanoparticles including laminarin and a near-infrared responsive photosensitizer covalently bonded thereto, and a composition for preventing, diagnosing, or treating arteriosclerosis comprising the same as an active ingredient. According to the present disclosure, not only the atherosclerotic plaque targeting and plaque-penetrating properties can be enhanced as compared to conventional photodynamic therapy, thus capable of being usefully used for in vivo imaging of atherosclerotic plaques, but also the size of atherosclerotic plaques is reduced by inducing apoptosis of macrophages in atherosclerotic plaques, thus capable of stabilizing atherosclerotic plaques. Therefore, the composition comprising the nanoparticles of the present disclosure as an active ingredient is expected to be usefully used for the prevention, diagnosis and/or treatment of arteriosclerosis, in that photodynamic therapy and image diagnostic of arteriosclerosis can be performed simultaneously or sequentially.

The present invention provides a photosensitising composition comprising a mixture of: at least one surfactant; at least one alcohol; and/or water, with the proviso that when the at least one surfactant is an alcohol, it is different from the at least one alcohol. In particular, the composition may comprise a mixture of glycerol, ethanol and water. Alternatively, the composition may comprise a mixture of polyethylene glycol, ethanol and water. The photosensitising composition may further comprise at least one photosensitising compound. The present invention also provides a method of treating and/or preventing conditions caused by microorganisms in a subject.

An improved method of promoting hair growth includes the use of one or more photosensitive curcuminoids, provided in combination with other hair growth components and preferably solubilized in bio-compatible materials to create a nano-particulate. These materials are introduced via fractional topical delivery and subsequently activated by exposure to specific wavelengths of light. This sequence results in improved hair growth in comparison to previously known methods, and the use of photosensitive curcuminoids in this manner may be employed to treat other skin disorders.