THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS OF AMINOLEVULINATE SYNTHASE

摘要

Systems and methods for increasing protoporphyrin IX accumulation in a target cell population using aminolevulinate synthase variants. Aminolevulinic acid-mediated photodynamic therapy is a promising approach to treating dysplasic disorders such as cancer and atherosclerosis, but is limited by the lack of a means to deliver optimal quantities of aminolevulinic acid selectively to the target cells, and thereby ensure the best therapeutic response. The disclosed invention provides a means for enhancing the natural production of aminolevulinic acid selectively within target cells to levels predetermined to give an optimal therapeutic response, and is expected to lead to increased efficacy of treatment, possibly broadening the scope of diseases treatable by photodynamic therapy considerably. The disclosed invention is also amenable to patient specific therapy, meaning that a patient's target cells could be used to screen for the aminolevulinic acid delivery system most appropriate for the patient's needs.