Abstract: A catheter device for use in the photodynamic treatment of a body cavity or hollow organ of the body, such as the bladder, the device being used in the photodynamic treatment of abnormalities, disorders or diseases of the internal surfaces of said body cavity or hollow organ.

Abstract: This invention relates to a neoadjuvant therapy for bladder cancer in bladder cancer patients who are scheduled for a cystectomy and methods of carrying out such a neoadjuvant therapy. In particular, the invention relates to a composition comprising hexyl 5-ALA ester (HAL) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for use in a neoadjuvant therapy for bladder cancer in a bladder cancer patient who is scheduled for a cystectomy, the therapy comprises instilling said composition into the bladder of said patient and exposing the inside of said bladder to light.

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: This invention relates to an intravesical therapy for bladder cancer.

Abstract: An irradiation device for insertion into an orifice of the body for providing photodynamic therapy or diagnosis comprises: a housing 1, 21, 31, 51, 61, 71 adapted to be fully inserted and secured in the orifice, the housing 1, 21, 31, 51, 61, 71 enclosing an LED lamp system 5, 25, 35, 45, 54, 62, 72 and a power source 41, 68, 78, for powering the LED lamp system 5, 25, 35, 45, 54, 62, 72, wherein the device is independently operational while located within the orifice.

Abstract: This invention relates to a neoadjuvant therapy for bladder cancer in bladder cancer patients who are scheduled for a cystectomy and methods of carrying out such a neoadjuvant therapy. In particular the invention relates to a composition comprising hexyl 5-ALA ester (HAL) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for use in a neoadjuvant therapy for bladder cancer in a bladder cancer patient who is scheduled for a cystectomy, the therapy comprises instilling said composition into the bladder of said patient and exposing the inside of said bladder to light.

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.

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; characterized 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: This invention relates to an intravesical therapy for bladder cancer.

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: A photodynamic therapy lamp includes two lamp modules comprising an array of LEDs. Each of the lamp modules is movable between a first position in which an angle between the lamp modules is from 157 degrees to 180 degrees, and a second position in which the angle between the lamp modules is from 50 degrees to 70 degrees.

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: The invention relates to new derivatives of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) and their use as photosensitizing agents. In particular, it relates to compounds of general formula I and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, to methods for preparing such compounds and their medical and cosmetic use, for example in methods of photodynamic therapy and diagnosis: wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl or cycloalkyl group; R2, each of which may be the same or different, represents a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group; and X is a linking group.

Abstract: A photodynamic therapy lamp includes two lamp modules comprising an array of LEDs. Each of the lamp modules is movable between a first position in which an angle between the lamp modules is from 157 degrees to 180 degrees, and a second position in which the angle between the lamp modules is from 50 degrees to 70 degrees.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising a derivative of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), e.g. an ester of 5-ALA or a skin compatible salt thereof. Further, the invention relates to use of such compositions in methods of cosmetic treatment, particularly in methods of improving or otherwise enhancing the appearance of the skin.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel crystalline polymorph of hexyl-5-aminolevulinate hydrochloride, referred to hereinafter as Form C, which is useful as precursor of a photo sensitizer in the photodynamic diagnosis and treatment of metabolically active cells related to diseases such as cancer of the uterus, cervix, vagina, rectum, colon, lower gastrointestinal tract; infection associated with cancer caused by human papilloma virus; non-cancerous lower gastrointestinal tract a human; inflammatory bowel disease; ulcerative colitis; Crohn's disease; inflammatory bowel syndrome; dysplasia of the female reproductive system; anus; penis; rosacea; and acne and which is suitable for use as the active ingredient of a commercial pharmaceutical product. The invention relates further to methods of preparing Form C and using it in the described pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to contrast agents for optical imaging of oesophageal cancer and Barrett's oesophagus in patients. The contrast agents are esters of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA). They are useful in the diagnosis of oesophageal cancer and Barrett's oesophagus, for follow up of progress in disease development, and for follow up of treatment of oesophageal cancer and Barrett's oesophagus. The contrast agents are delivered by particular routes of administration.

Abstract: The invention provides the use of a photosensitizer which is 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) or a derivative (e.g. an ester) of 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 photosensitizer; and (b) photoactivating said photosensitizer, and wherein 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 photosensitizer 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.

Abstract: The present invention provides an acid addition salt of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) or of a 5-ALA derivative (e.g. a 5-ALA ester) with an acid which has a pKa of about 5 or less, preferably about 3 or less, with the proviso that the acid is other than hydrochloric acid. Particularly preferred salts are those derived from acids selected from the group comprising sulphonic acid and its derivatives, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid and phosphoric acid. The salts in accordance with the invention are particularly suitable for use as photosensitizing agents in diagnosis and photochemotherapy of disorders or abnormalities of external or internal surfaces of the body.