Photochemotherapy

To evaluate the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and non-AMD in Thais, and compare with the Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration with Photodynamic Therapy (TAP) and Verteporfin in Photodynamic Therapy (VIP) study. The authors prospectively evaluated all data of 51 eyes of 51 patients who had undergone PDT and accomplished a 1-year follow up. The assessments were divided into two categories: group 1 included three subsets of AMD, and group 2 was non-AMD. The first group classified into three subgroups: group 1A: AMD with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and TAP/VIP compatible with recommendation guidelines characteristics, group 1B: AMD with subfoveal CNV and TAP/VIP incompatible, and group 1C: AMD with non-subfoveal CNV. The measurement outcomes comprised of the baseline characteristics, change in visual acuity, and number of treatments. Thirty-eight eyes had CNV-related AMD and 13 eyes were non-AMD...

Malignancies arising from biliary tract epithelia, or cholangiocarcinoma, are rare tumors that have a poor prognosis. The incidence of these tumors is gradually increasing in many countries. Recent advances have been made in identifying some of the risk factors, and the need for appropriate classification is emerging. The diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma is often difficult and requires multiple complementary studies. The use of molecular approaches may improve the diagnostic utility of biliary cytology. Treatment of these tumors is complex, and there are many different treatment options. Although surgical resection can be curative, many patients with cholangiocarcinoma are diagnosed at an advanced stage when only palliative approaches can be used. Photodynamic therapy is emerging as a useful modality.

diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Our recommen- dations were classified as class I, IIA, IIB, or III. For each recommendation we defined the level of supporting evidence as A, B, or C. Results. We identified class I indications for transmyo- cardial revascularization as sole therapy and class IIA indications for transmyocardial revascularization as an adjunct to coronary artery bypass graft surgery

In the development of new antibacterial therapeutic approaches to fight multidrug-resistant bacteria, antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) represents a well-known alternative to treat local infections caused by different microorganisms. Here we present a polypropylene (PP) fabric finished with citrate-hydroxypropyl-βCD polymer (PP-CD) entrapping the tetra-anionic 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)-21H,23H-porphine (TPPS) as photosensitizer eluting scaffold (PP-CD/TPPS) for aPDT. The concept is based on host-guest complexation of porphyrin in the cavities of CDs immobilized on the PP fibers, followed by its sustained and controlled delivery in release medium and simultaneous photo-inactivation of microorganisms. Morphology of fabric was characterized by optical (OM) and scanning electron microscopies (SEM). Optical properties were investigated by UV-vis absorption, steady- and time-resolved fluorescence emission spectroscopy. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and FT-IR ...

Fullerenes are chemical structures made of carbon atoms. The stable form is molecule composed of 60 carbon atoms arranged in a soccer ball-shaped structure. With respect to its electron donor and acceptor capability and photochemical behavior fullerenes can be effective antioxidants and radical scavengers or prooxidants and photosensitizers. These properties of fullerenes have paid attention on their possible biological applications. Results of previous studies point to the great dependance of fullerenes activity upon quality, quantity and geometry of substituents in fullerene derivatives. Some of fullerene derivatives show antiviral and antimicrobial activity, including anti-HIV properties. C60 and its derivatives are able to exhibit cytotoxic and enzyme-inhibiting abilities as well as radical-quenching and antioxidative abilities. Generation of reactive oxygen species under influence of visible light is another ability of fullerene derivetives desired in photodynamic therapy.

Rumiana Bakalova, Hideki Ohba, Zhivko Zhelev, Mitsuru Ishikawa and Yoshinobu Baba are at the Single-Molecule Bioanalysis Laboratory, National Institute for Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 2217-14 Hayashi-cho, Takamatsu 761-0395, Japan.

Background  Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is based on the combination of an exogenously administered precursor of photosensitizer [protoporphyrin IX (PpIX)] synthesis and exposure to light. Choosing the optimal wavelength is important. Red light penetrates deeper into tissue, while violet light is more efficient in activating PpIX but does not penetrate so deeply.Objectives  We studied PpIX formation and the PDT effect after application to human skin of creams containing aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) and aminolaevulinic acid methyl ester (MAL). The aim of the study was to investigate whether the wavelength of the light used has an influence on pain sensations during topical PDT with the different prodrugs.Methods  ALA cream (10%) and MAL cream (10%) were topically applied on the skin of 10 healthy volunteers. After 24 h the application site was exposed to 8 mW cm−2 violet laser or to 100 mW cm−2 red laser light. The erythema index was monitored up to 24 h after light exposure. For the first time the pain during topical ALA- and MAL-PDT was assessed by measuring the time taken for pain to occur. Also, for the first time, the intensities of the light sources were calibrated so as to have the same relative quantum efficiency.Results  The pain sensation during ALA-PDT with red light came 22 s sooner than during ALA-PDT with violet light, which is statistically significant (P < 0·05). Moreover, ALA-PDT with red light gave stronger and more persistent erythema than ALA-PDT with violet light. ALA induced about three times more PpIX than MAL. No statistically significant differences were found for erythema, or for the time for pain to occur, in the case of MAL-PDT with red vs. violet light.Conclusions  Topical ALA-PDT with violet light allows longer exposure times before pain is induced and gives less erythema as compared with topical ALA-PDT with red light.

Electroporation (EP) is a modern and versatile method that allows the penetration of macromolecules from the intercellular space into cells by forming the channels, under the influence of electromagnetic field. In addition to natural channels and pumps, building cell membranes, resulting electropores an additional way for the transport of macromolecules. The use of this phenomenon has brought good results as a complement to traditional therapeutic methods of treatment during application of cytostatics. EP combination with chemotherapy has reduced the need for surgical intervention (rescue authority). Electroporation is particularly useful for cancer with multidrug resistance, where the dose that enters the interior of cancer cells is limited. Electroporation was also used in transfection of nucleic acids, in photodynamic therapy, cosmetology, as well as the consolidation of the food.