PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY USING CHEMILUMINESCENCE AND A LIGAND-PHOTOSENSITISER CONJUGATE

摘要

A method for destroying harmful cells is provided, applicable in treating proliferative diseases. The cells are destroyed by a combined treatment with a chemiluminescent agent and with a ligand-photosensitizer conjugate. The chemiluminescent agent emits light on reacting with oxygen species present i n situ, the conjugate binds to the cell through its ligand and is activated by the emitted light, thereby destroying the cell. The method is demonstrated o n a conjugate of transferrin-hematoporphyrin, which destroys cancerous cells i n the presence of luminol.