ANTIGEN DELIVERY DEVICE AND METHOD

摘要

A device for activating light-induced rupture of endocytic vesicles in target cells of a patient so as to effect delivery of an administered antigen to cytosol in the target cells, is described. The device is adapted to be worn by a patient over a region of skin where an antigen and a photosensitising agent are to be administered. The device comprises a rear surface that is rounded or otherwise configured to be worn against the patient's skin. It has a retaining part for retaining the device in place over the region of the patient's skin during an activation cycle. A light source is arranged to illuminate the patient's skin from the rear of the device. A control system is configured to vary the output of the light source with respect to time in accordance with a pre-configured output sequence.

主权项

1. A device for activating light-induced rupture of endocytic vesicles in target cells of a patient so as to effect delivery of an administered antigen to cytosol in the target cells, the device being adapted to be worn by a patient over a region of the patient's skin where an antigen and a photosensitising agent have been or are to be administered, wherein the device comprises:
a rear surface that is configured to be worn against the patient's skin; a retaining part for retaining the device in place over the region of the patient's skin during an activation cycle; a light source arranged to illuminate the region of the patient's skin from the rear surface of the device; a control system to control the operation of the light source after initiation of the activation cycle; and a power supply to power the light source and the control system, wherein the control system is configured to vary the output of the light source with respect to time in accordance with a pre-configured output sequence, wherein the output sequence includes an initial stage where the output of the light source is set to be zero or generally below that which could deliver a light dose that can activate light-induced rupture of endocytic vesicles to allow time for the antigen and photosensitising agent to reach the target cells, and a later stage where the output of the light source is set to deliver a light dose which can activate light-induced rupture of the endocytic vesicles for effecting the delivery of the administered antigen to the cytosol of the target cells.