PYROPHEOPHORBIDE AND USE OF THE SAME IN PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pharmaceutical with which improved effects are obtained in comparison with medicaments used in conventional photodynamic therapy. SOLUTION: A pyropheophorbide compound and a pharmaceutical composition containing the same are obtained and a therapeutic method using the compound in photodynamic therapy is provided. When the pyropheophorbide compound is injected to a host, it is accumulated in tumor tissues in higher concentration than in surrounding normal tissues. When the pyropheophorbide compound is irradiated with a light having a specific wave length, the compound becomes to be cytotoxic and destroys the tumor tissues or morbid tissues without generating irreversible damages to the normal tissues. The pyropheophorbide compound has expressed an improved result in comparison with conventional pharmaceuticals used in the photodynamic therapy. The compound absorbs deeper red lights, has optimum tissue permeability in comparison with other pharmaceuticals used in the photodynamic therapy and is retained in the skin for a short term.