Abstract: The present invention concerns an in vivo method for introducing a naked mRNA molecule into the cytosol of a cell(s) in a subject, by the use of photochemical internalization, wherein the photosensitising agent is a sulphonated meso-tetraphenyl chlorin, sulfonated tetraphenylporphine or a di- or tetrasulfonated aluminium phthalocyanine used in an amount of 0.000001-0.001 ?g and the cells(s) are contacted with the mRNA molecule and photosensitising agent for 30 seconds to 10 minutes before irradiation of the cell(s). The method may be used to express a polypeptide in the subject. The method is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions containing the photosensitising agents and the mRNA and uses of the molecules in therapy, e.g. to treat or prevent cancer or an infection.

Abstract: A method of treating or preventing an intracellular bacterial infection, comprising contacting the cell(s) which are infected with an antibacterial agent and a photosensitizing agent and irradiating the cell(s) with light of a wavelength effective to activate the photosensitizing agent, wherein the antibacterial agent is released into the cytosol of the cell(s) and kills, damages or prevents the replication of bacteria in said cell(s) is described. Related uses, and compositions, products and kits for the same are further described.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of generating an immune response in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an antigenic molecule, a photosensitizing agent, a checkpoint inhibitor, and irradiating said subject with light of a wavelength effective to activate the photosensitizing agent to generate an immune response. Preferably the method is a method of vaccination. The invention also provides related methods, compositions, cells, uses, products and kits.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating or preventing melanoma using vaccination or immunisation, wherein said vaccination or immunisation involves the use of a photosensitizing agent, a melanoma antigen (i.e. an antigenic molecule), for example a vaccine component, and irradiation with light of a wavelength effective to activate the photosensitizing agent. The invention also relates to said photosensitizing agent and melanoma antigen for use in such a method, and to cells produced by the method.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an in vivo method for introducing an mRNA molecule (which is not associated with a carrier) into the cytosol of a cell(s) in a subject, by the use of photochemical internalization, wherein the photosensitising agent is a sulphonated meso-tetraphenyl chlorin, sulfonated tetraphenylporphine or a di- or tetrasulfonated aluminium phthalocyanine used in an amount of 0.0001 to 1 ?g. The method may be used to express a polypeptide in the subject. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions containing the photosensitising agents and the mRNA and uses of the molecules in therapy, e.g. to treat or prevent cancer or an infection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating a cholangiocarcinoma in a human patient comprising a photochemical internalization method using TPCS2a, and gemcitabine and optionally another cytotoxic agent, preferably cisplatin. Related uses and kit for performing the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating or preventing an intracellular bacterial infection, comprising contacting the cell(s) which are infected with an antibacterial agent and a photosensitizing agent and irradiating the cell(s) with light of a wavelength effective to activate the photosensitizing agent, wherein the antibacterial agent is released into the cytosol of the cell(s) and kills, damages or prevents the replication of bacteria in said cell(s). The invention also provides related uses, and compositions, products and kits for the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of expressing an antigenic molecule or a part thereof on the surface of a cell using a photochemical internalization method in which a cytokine, preferably GM-CSF, is used to enhance the method. The method may be used to stimulate an immune response and for various therapeutic or prophylactic methods. Pharmaceutical compositions or kits comprising the components for use in the method, cells produced by the method and their use in therapy and prophylaxis also form aspects of the invention.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of generating an immune response in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an antigenic molecule, a photosensitizing agent, a checkpoint inhibitor, and irradiating said subject with light of a wavelength effective to activate the photosensitizing agent to generate an immune response. Preferably the method is a method of vaccination. The invention also provides related methods, compositions, cells, uses, products and kits.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of expressing an antigenic molecule or a part thereof on the surface of a cell using a photochemical internalisation method in which a cytokine, preferably GM-CSF, is used to enhance the method. The method may be used to stimulate an immune response and for various therapeutic or prophylactic methods. Pharmaceutical compositions or kits comprising the components for use in the method, cells produced by the method and their use in therapy and prophylaxis also form aspects of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating or preventing melanoma using vaccination or immunisation, wherein said vaccination or immunisation involves the use of a photosensitizing agent, a melanoma antigen (i.e. an antigenic molecule), for example a vaccine component, and irradiation with light of a wavelength effective to activate the photosensitizing agent. The invention also relates to said photosensitizing agent and melanoma antigen for use in such a method, and to cells produced by the method.

Abstract: The present invention provides an in vitro method of expressing an antigenic molecule or a part thereof on the surface of a dendritic cell using a PCI method with TPCS2a at a concentration of 0.020-0.1 ?g/ml, using light of a wavelength of between 400 and 500 nm. Methods of treatment such as vaccination comprising this method, together with compositions comprising said cells and uses involving said cells expressing antigenic molecules are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for enhancing the activity of kinase inhibitors in target cells, and more specifically for enhancing the activity of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), said method comprising contacting a cell with a kinase inhibitor and a photosensitizing agent and irradiating said cell with light of a wavelength effective to activate the photosensitizing agent, and to the use of this method for enhancing the effects of kinase inhibitors or kinase inhibitor-based drugs in particular to achieve cell death, for example, in cancer treatment and other diseases or conditions in which kinase inhibitors, such as TKIs, have a beneficial effect.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for enhancing the activity of kinase inhibitors in target cells, and more specifically for enhancing the activity of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), said method comprising contacting a cell with a kinase inhibitor and a photosensitizing agent and irradiating said cell with light of a wavelength effective to activate the photosensitizing agent, and to the use of this method for enhancing the effects of kinase inhibitors or kinase inhibitor-based drugs in particular to achieve cell death, for example, in cancer treatment and other diseases or conditions in which kinase inhibitors, such as TKIs, have a beneficial effect.

Abstract: A method for introducing a molecule into the cytosol of a cell in which the cell is contacted with a photosensitizing agent, the cell is irradiated with light of a wavelength effective to activate the photosensitizing agent and, substantially at the same time or after the irradiation, the cell is contacted with the molecule to be introduced, particularly for use in cancer treatment, gene therapy and vaccination.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for introducing a molecule into the cytosol of a cell in which the cell is contacted with a photosentistising agent, the cell is irradiated with light of a wavelength effective to activate the photosentisitising agent and, substantially at the same time or after the irradiation, the cell is contacted with the molecule to be introduced, particularly for use in cancer treatment, gene therapy and vaccination.

Abstract: Targetable diagnostic and/or therapeutically active agents, e.g. ultrasound contrast agents, comprising a suspension in an aqueous carrier liquid of a reporter comprising gas-containing or gas-generating material, said agent being capable of forming at least two types of binding pairs with a target.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for introducing molecules in cells by disrupting endosomal and lysosomal membranes using photodynamic treatment, without killing the majority of the cells by the photodynamic treatment. More particularly, this invention includes a method for transferring DNA and/or RNA, such as genes, to cells by photochemically inducing the disruption of endosomes and lysosomes.

Abstract: Targetable diagnostic and/or therapeutically active agents, e.g. ultrasound contrast agents, comprising a suspension in an aqueous carrier liquid of a reporter comprising gas-containing or gas-generating material, said agent being capable of forming at least two types of binding pairs with a target.

Abstract: Targetable diagnostic and/or therapeutically active agents, e.g. ultrasound contrast agents, having reporters comprising gas-filled microbubbles stabilised by monolayers of film-forming surfactants, the reporter being coupled or linked to at least one vector.