PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY USING CHEMILUMINESCENCE AND A LIGAND-PHOTOSENSITISER CONJUGATE

摘要

A method for destroying harmful cells is provided, applicable in treatingproliferative diseases. The cells are destroyed by a combined treatment with achemiluminescent agent and with a ligand-photosensitizer conjugate. Thechemiluminescent agent emits light on reacting with oxygen species present insitu, the conjugate binds to the cell through its ligand and is activated bythe emitted light, thereby destroying the cell. The method is demonstrated ona conjugate of transferrin-hematoporphyrin, which destroys cancerous cells inthe presence of luminol.