Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a solid pharmaceutical product for photodynamic treatment of such as cervical cancer.SOLUTION: The solid pharmaceutical product contains a photosensitizer which is 5-aminolevulinic acid ester (5-ALA ester) represented by formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and at least one of pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient. The pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient is hard fat or a mixture of the hard fat and an additive. The solid pharmaceutical product is in the form of a suppository. The solid pharmaceutical product is preferably adapted for insertion into the uterus, vagina or cervix. The melting point thereof is preferably 30 to 37°C. The melting point of the mixture of the hard fat and the additive is preferably 31 to 33°C. Formula (I) is RN-CHCOCH-CHCO-OR, where Rrepresents a substituted or unsubstituted, straight-chained, branched or cyclic alkyl group, and each Rindependently represents a hydrogen atom.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide hexyl ester of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and use thereof, in the manufacture of a composition for use in a method of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on an animal to treat the viral infection of lining of the vagina, uterine cervix, and uterus.SOLUTION: The PDT comprises the steps of: (a) administering to an animal a composition; and (b) photoactivating the hexyl ester of 5-ALA. Further, the PDT uses (i): the composition comprises the hexyl ester of 5-ALA in a concentration of 0.5 to 6 wt.% in combination with (iii): the photoactivation is carried out with a light source having a fluence rate of 5 to 40 mW/cm, thereby preventing or reducing side-effect of the PDT.
Abstract:
This invention relates to semi-solid compositions and semi-solid pharmaceutical products for use in the photodynamic treatment (PDT) of cancer, pre-cancerous conditions and non-cancerous conditions in the female reproductive system, the anus and the penis, preferably for use in PDT of endometrial, cervical, vulvar, vaginal, anal and penile dysplasia and HPV infections of the uterus, cervix, the vulva, the vagina, the anus and the penis. The semi-solid compositions and pharmaceutical products comprise an active ingredient which is 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) or a precursor or derivative of 5-ALA or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The invention relates further to methods of PDT of cancer, pre-cancerous conditions and non-cancerous conditions in the female reproductive system, the anus and the penis, wherein said semi-solid compositions and pharmaceutical products are used.
Abstract:
An irradiation device for insertion into an orifice of the body to provide photodynamic therapy comprises: a housing moulded from a resilient material and adapted to be fully inserted and secured in the orifice, the housing enclosing an LED lamp system 22 and a power source 41 for powering the LED lamp system 22; wherein the device is independently operational while located in the orifice; characterised in that: the housing comprises a first housing part 2 for holding the power source 41 and a second housing part 4 for holding the LED lamp system 22, the first and second housing parts 2, 4 being separable and being preferably formed separately from the LED lamp system 22; and in that the first housing part 2 consists of a chamber 6 for holding the power source 41 and an opening 26 into the chamber 6 is provided through a resilient opening part 8, wherein the chamber 6 is closed when the first housing part 2 is joined to the second housing part 4.
Abstract:
The invention provides the use of a photosensitiser which is a derivative (e.g. an ester) of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in the manufacture of a composition for use in methods of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on an animal, wherein said PDT comprises: (a) administering to said animal a composition comprising said photosensitiser; and (b) photoactivating said photosensitiser, and side-effects (e.g. pain and/or erythema) of said PDT are prevented or reduced by use of one or more of (i)-(iv): (i) said composition comprises said photosensitiser in a concentration of less than 10% wt (e.g. 0.5 to 8% wt), (ii) said composition is administered for less than 2 hours (e.g. 30 minutes to 90 minutes) prior to said photoactivation, (iii) said photoactivation is carried out with a light source having a fluence rate of less than 50 mW/cm2 (e.g. 5 to 40 mW/cm2), (iv) said photoactivation is carried out with sunlight. Preferably, side effects of PDT are prevented or reduced by using (ii) or (iv) in combination with (i) and/or (ii).
Abstract:
The present invention relates to the use of a photosensitiser which is 5-ALA or a precursor or derivative thereof (e.g. an ALA ester), in the manufacture of a pharmaceutical product for use in the photodynamic treatment or diagnosis of cancer, an infection associated with cancer, or in the treatment or diagnosis of a non-cancerous condition, wherein said pharmaceutical product is in the form of a solid. The invention also relates to solid pharmaceutical products for use in such methods, e.g. suppositories, pessaries, tablets, pellets and capsules which comprise 5-ALA or a precursor or derivative thereof (e.g. an ALA ester) and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient. Such products are particularly suitable for use in the photodynamic treatment or diagnosis of cancerous or non-cancerous conditions in the lower part of the gastrointestinal system or in the female reproductive system, e.g. in the treatment or diagnosis of colorectal cancer or cervical cancer.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a method of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for bladder cancer and its use as an adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy in the treatment of bladder cancer. The invention provides a composition comprising hexyl 5-ALA ester (HAL) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for use in a method of photodynamic therapy for bladder cancer, wherein said composition is instilled into the bladder of a patient in need of such treatment and the inside of said bladder is exposed to blue light having a fluence rate of 1.5 to 12.5 mW/cm2.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a dissolution chamber (10) for use with a catheter for dissolving and preparing an aqueous solution of a water-soluble photosensitizing agent for installation into the bladder, e.g. for use in photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) or photodynamic therapy (PDT) of bladder cancer and to a method for preparing a liquid pharmaceutical preparation for delivery into a patient's bladder which includes the use of said dissolution chamber (10).