LEUKOCYTES AS DELIVERY CELLS FOR IMAGING AND DISEASE THERAPY

摘要

Theranostic methods are described herein, which are useful in diagnosing and/or treating infection, inflammation, and/or cancer. The methods utilize naturally-occurring leukocytes for in situ photodynamic therapy and imaging, and for the delivery of targeted therapies to the infection, inflammation, and/or cancer.

主权项

1. A method for the in situ treatment and/or diagnosis of infection, inflammation, and/or cancerous tissue in a subject using naturally-occurring leukocytes of said subject, wherein said subject has cancerous tissue or tissue infected or inflamed by a pathogen, said method comprising:
optionally administering a photosensitizing agent to said subject; administering a luminogenic substrate to said subject, wherein said naturally-occurring leukocytes accumulate in and near said infection, inflammation, and/or cancerous tissue and secret oxidative species, said oxidative species reacting with said luminogenic substrate to generate light and cause damage and destruction of said pathogen or cancerous tissue; and optionally detecting said light generated by said luminogenic substrate to thereby image said infection, inflammation, and/or cancerous tissue, wherein said photosensitizing agent, when present, is activated by said light generated by said luminogenic substrate and said activated photosensitizing agent enhances the damage and destruction of said pathogen or cancerous tissue.