| 摘要 |
The present invention exploits a novel mechanism for photosensitizer localization, namely interaction with the high-affinity receptors which mediate the hormonal signals transmitted by steroids (and some other hormones such as thyroxine, retinoids, and members of vitamin D family). These receptors are expressed only in specific cell types - and by their expression they confer hormone sensitivity on those cells. This invention provides hormone/chromophore conjugates which have reasonable binding affinity towards the hormone receptor protein and methods of administering them to patients as specific photosensitizing agents which can direct lethal damage towards receptor-positive cell lines upon irradiation with visible light. These hormone/chromophore conjugates bound to nuclear hormone receptors can be used as selective molecular delivery systems for photodynamic therapy. |
