Light-induced killing of carcinoma cells.

摘要

A chromophore is used in conjunction with light of a predetermined wavelength, preferably produced by a laser, in light-induced killing of carcinoma cells associated with normal cells. The chromophore is characterised in being positively charged and sufficiently lipophilic to be taken up by carcinoma cells and their mitochondria; in being retained substantially longer in the mitochondria of the carcinoma cells than in the mitochondria of normal cells, or in more being taken up by the carcinoma cells than by the normal cells contacted with the chromophore; and in having a therapeutic index for light-induced killing of at least 500 for light of said predetermined wavelength. A number of novel and preferred chromophores are also disclosed.