Abstract: It is intended to provide a therapeutic and/or diagnostic agent that can be used in photodynamic therapy (PDT) or photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) capable of utilizing infrared-spectrum light such as near-infrared light (NIR), infrared light, or far-infrared light, which attains a deep body penetration. The present invention provides a photodynamic therapeutic or diagnostic agent or a photodynamic therapeutic or diagnostic kit for cancer or infectious disease, comprising: a particle (e.g., a lanthanide particle) that emits upconversion luminescence by infrared-spectrum light such as near-infrared light having a wavelength of 0.7 ?m to 2.5 ?m; and a photosensitizer (e.g., porphyrin) or a 5-aminolevulinic acid group.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition which is different from an existing therapeutic agent of an adult disease, of a biochemical reaction-inhibiting type, and which action mechanism is to improve the basal metabolism, wherein the composition has no side effects, and does not generate drug resistance against adult disease; and a method for preventing/treating an adult disease by using the same.

Abstract: Provided is an organ preservation solution for use in transplantation, which is capable of effectively preventing the occurrence of ischemia-reperfusion injury. Prepared is an organ preservation solution comprising a mixture of the following components: (a) potassium chloride, disodium hydrogen phosphate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, L-ascorbic acid, L-ascorbic acid phosphate ester, and D-glucose; (b) potassium chloride, disodium hydrogen phosphate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, L-ascorbic acid, L-ascorbic acid phosphate ester, glycine, and D-glucose; (c) potassium chloride, disodium hydrogen phosphate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, L-ascorbic acid, L-ascorbic acid phosphate ester, L-cysteine, glycine, and D-glucose; or (d) potassium chloride, disodium hydrogen phosphate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, L-ascorbic acid, L-ascorbic acid phosphate ester, L-cysteine, glycine, an iron compound, and D-glucose.

Abstract: A method for treating side effects of anticancer agent includes administering to a subject in need thereof a prophylactic and/or therapeutic agent containing a therapeutically effective amount of a compound shown by the following Formula (I): R1—NHCH2COCH2CH2COOR2??(I) wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or an acyl group, and R2 represents a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, or an aralkyl group, or a salt thereof.

Abstract: It is intended to provide an in vitro culture medium that allows the in vitro culture of fertilized eggs to progress normally to the blastocyst stage without arresting the development thereof. The normal development rate of a fertilized egg is improved by using 5-aminolevulinic acids represented by the following formula (I) (wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or an acyl group, and R2 represents a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, or an aralkyl group) or salts thereof as an agent for improving a normal development rate of a fertilized egg.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to elucidate the resistance mechanism in infections that show resistance to ALA-PDT that uses a single ALA, and to provide a novel treatment method against these infections. The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for promoting protoporphyrin IX production in ALA-PDT for treating infection, characterized in that it comprises a substance that promotes the conversion from coproporphyrinogen III to protoporphyrin IX.

Abstract: [Problem to be Solved] It is an object of the present invention to provide a composition, which induces immunity to tumor cells and is also able to induce inhibition of tumor growth. [Solution] Provided is a composition for inducing tumor immunity, comprising ALAs.

Abstract: Provided is a therapeutic agent capable of treating allergic rhinitis in a safe, simple, and noninvasive manner substantially without side effects and physical distress to patients. Provided is a therapeutic agent for allergic rhinitis for 5-aminolevulinic acid-based photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) comprising 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) or a derivative thereof, or a salt of the 5-aminolevulinic acid or the derivative as an active ingredient, and used in ALA-PDT in which light having a wavelength of 400 nm to 700 nm is irradiated; and particularly provided is a therapeutic agent for allergic rhinitis in a locally applied solution form, a water-soluble ointment-dissolved form, a jelly-dissolved form, or the like.

Abstract: A method for ameliorating and/or preventing cancerous anemia includes administering to a subject in need thereof an agent containing 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) or a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof. Preferably, these ALAs contain a metal-containing compound, such as sodium ferrous citrate. The above-mentioned ALAs, ALA; various esters such as ALA methylester, ALA ethylester, ALA propylester, ALA butylester, and ALA pentylester; and hydrochlorides, phosphates, and sulfates, and the like of these ALA esters are preferred examples.

Abstract: [Problem to be Solved] It is an object of the present invention to provide a preventive or therapeutic composition for a therapy-resistant cancer having therapy-resistant cancer cells. [Solution] A preventive or therapeutic composition for a therapy-resistant cancer having therapy-resistant cancer cells, which is for use in photodynamic therapy, wherein the composition comprises ALAs.

Abstract: The objects of the present invention are to inhibit photobleaching of porphyrins as well as to provide a superior photodynamic diagnostic agent and a photodynamic diagnostic method employing the photobleaching inhibitor for porphyrins. The present invention provides a photodynamic diagnostic agent containing a precursor of porphyrins and a gallic acid. The present invention also provides a photobleaching inhibitor for porphyrins containing a gallic acid.

Abstract: It is to provide a tumor diagnostic agent and a tumor determination method enabling not only determination of the presence or absence of a tumor in a subject, but also determination of whether the tumor is a malignant tumor or a benign tumor, which can be used simply at low cost with reduced side effects and burden. 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) or its derivative, or a salt thereof is orally administered at a dose of 5 to 7 mg in terms of ALA per kg of body weight, and a urine sample 4 to 12 hours after the administration is collected. Porphyrins and creatinine in the urine sample are quantitated, and based on the value (nmol/gCre) obtained by dividing the amount of porphyrins by the amount of creatinine, a distinction among an individual without a tumor, an individual with a benign tumor, and an individual with a malignant tumor is determined. The presence or absence of a malignant tumor in a subject can be clearly determined by administering 1 to 3 mg of ALAs in terms of ALA per kg of body weight.

Abstract: A method for ameliorating and/or preventing chronic kidney disease includes administering to a subject in need thereof an agent containing 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) or a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof as an active ingredient. Preferably, these ALAs contain a metal-containing compound, such as sodium ferrous citrate. The above-mentioned ALAs, ALA; various esters, such as ALA methylester, ALA ethylester, ALA propylester, ALA butylester, and ALA pentylester; and hydrochlorides, phosphates, and sulfates, and the like of these ALA esters are preferred examples.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sepsis therapeutic drug useful for prophylaxis and treatment of sepsis. A prophylactic agent and/or a therapeutic agent for sepsis containing 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) or a derivative thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable salt of 5-ALA or the derivative as an active ingredient is prepared. The prophylactic agent and/or the therapeutic agent preferably contains a metal-containing compound such as ferrous sodium citrate in addition to the ALAs. Preferred examples of the ALAs include ALA; various esters of ALA such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, and pentyl esters; and hydrochlorides, phosphates, sulfates of ALA and the esters.

Abstract: A therapeutic and/or prophylactic agent for renal anemia comprising ALAs and an erythropoietin production promoter comprising ALAs.

Abstract: Provided is an antimalarial drug which is useful for prevention and treatment of infectious diseases caused by malaria parasites. A preventive and/or therapeutic agent for malaria, which contains, as an active ingredient, 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), a derivative thereof, or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof, is used.

Abstract: The object of the present invention to provide an agent effective for treating and preventing e.g. a disease caused by reduction in frataxin production. The present invention provides a frataxin enhancer comprising 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) or a derivative thereof or salts thereof, as well as a therapeutic and/or prophylactic agent for a disease caused by reduction in frataxin production.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a regulatory dendritic cell inducing agent applicable to the treatment of immune disease as well as an immune tolerance inducing agent such as a preventive and/or therapeutic agent for allergic disease and a preventive and/or therapeutic agent for autoimmune disease, both of which are safe and have the mechanism of action different from that of conventional drugs. As a means for achieving the above object, an immune tolerance inducing agent comprising 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) or a derivative thereof, or a salt of the 5-ALA or the derivative and an iron compound as active ingredients is prepared. Preferable examples of the ALAs can include ALA and various esters such as methyl ester, ethyl ester, propyl ester, butyl ester, and pentyl ester of ALA, and their hydrochlorides, phosphates, and sulfates. Preferable examples of the iron compound can include sodium ferrous citrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides an agent for promoting graft survival which can suppress rejection without use of existing immunosuppressants, an organ preservation solution capable of maintaining the freshness of an organ excised from a donor, and the like. An agent for promoting graft survival or an organ preservation solution is prepared, which comprises 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) or a derivative thereof, or a salt of ALA or the derivative and an iron compound as active ingredients. Preferable examples of the ALAs can include ALA and various esters such as methyl ester, ethyl ester, propyl ester, butyl ester, and pentyl ester of ALA, and their hydrochlorides, phosphates, and sulfates. Preferable examples of the iron compound can include sodium ferrous citrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides an agent for promoting graft survival which can suppress rejection without use of existing immunosuppressants, an organ preservation solution capable of maintaining the freshness of an organ excised from a donor, and the like. An agent for promoting graft survival or an organ preservation solution is prepared, which comprises 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) or a derivative thereof, or a salt of ALA or the derivative and an iron compound as active ingredients. Preferable examples of the ALAs can include ALA and various esters such as methyl ester, ethyl ester, propyl ester, butyl ester, and pentyl ester of ALA, and their hydrochlorides, phosphates, and sulfates. Preferable examples of the iron compound can include sodium ferrous citrate.