Abstract: New compounds useful in photodynamic therapy are of the formula and their 1,4-diene isomers and the metallated and/or labeled and/or conjugated forms thereof wherein each R1 is independently alkyl (1-6C); each n is independently an integer of 0-6; and R2 is vinyl or a derivative form thereof.

Abstract: A method for reducing or preventing the effects of inflammation arising from injured tissue, which method comprises the steps of: a. bringing the injured tissue, or pre-injured tissue, into contact with a photosensitizing agent capable of penetrating into the tissue, resulting in the desired degree of biodistribution in less than one hour; and b. exposing the tissue thus contacted to light having a wavelength absorbed by the photosensitizing agent for a time sufficient to reduce or prevent inflammation in the exposed tissue, but not so long as to cause necrosis or erythema of the exposed tissue, or a pharmaceutical composition or an article for reducing or preventing the effects of inflammation arising from injured tissue. The composition comprises: a. from about 1 &mgr;g/mL to about 2 mg/mL of a photosensitizing agent capable of penetrating into the injured tissue, or pre-injured tissue, resulting in the desired degree of biodistribution less than one hour; and b. a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Donor material from a xenogeneic source is modified to enhance its survival time in a recipient by treating the donor material using low-dose photodynamic therapy (PDT). The donor material, such as an organ or cell suspension, is treated with a photosensitizer and irradiated in a low-dose protocol before transplantation into a xenogeneic recipient.

Abstract: Long-term dialysis requires provision of safe and reliable vascular access, often in the form of an arteriovenous (AV) fistula. The primary cause of AV fistula loss or failure is stenosis caused by intimal hyperplasia (IH) in the graft at the venous anastomosis or the distal vein. Disclosed are methods of using photodynamic therapy (PDT) to inhibit IH in blood vessels which may also be used to inhibit IH and SMC growth at the anastomosis of an AV fistula in vivo.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of photodynamic therapy (PDT) to treat macular edemas, including DME, CRVO and BRVO. It provides an alternative to photocoagulation and the disadvantages associated therewith.

Abstract: Photodynamic therapy of conditions of the eye, especially those conditions characterized by unwanted neovasculature, such as age-related macular degeneration, results in enhanced visual acuity for treated subjects.

Abstract: Donor material from a xenogeneic source is modified to enhance its survival time in a recipient by treating the donor material using low-dose photodynamic therapy (PDT). The donor material, such as an organ or cell suspension, is treated with a photosensitizer and irradiated in a low-dose protocol before transplantation into a xenogeneic recipient.

Abstract: A method for reducing or preventing the effects of inflammation arising from injured tissue, which method comprises the steps of: a. bringing the injured tissue, or pre-injured tissue, into contact with a photosensitizing agent capable of penetrating into the tissue, resulting in the desired degree of biodistribution in less than one hour; and b. exposing the tissue thus contacted to light having a wavelength absorbed by the photosensitizing agent for a time sufficient to reduce or prevent inflammation in the exposed tissue, but not so long as to cause necrosis or erythema of the exposed tissue, or a pharmaceutical composition or an article for reducing or preventing the effects of inflammation arising from injured tissue. The composition comprises: a. from about 1 &mgr;/mL to about 2 mg/mL of a photosensitizing agent capable of penetrating into the injured tissue, or pre-injured tissue, resulting in the desired degree of biodistribution less than one hour; and b. a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Photodynamic therapy to prevent secondary cataracts is effected using photosensitizers such as green porphyrins as photoactive agents to destroy remnant lens epithelial cells.

Abstract: A method to prevent or inhibit the development of arterial plaque, comprising the steps of: a. administering to a subject an amount of a green porphyrin compound effective to prevent or inhibit said development; and b. allowing the inhibition to occur in the absence of irradiation with light absorbed by the green porphyrin, or a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or inhibiting the development of arterial plaque. The composition comprises: a. an amount of a green porphyrin compound effective to prevent or inhibit the development when administered to a subject in need of such treatment, even in the absence of irradiation with light absorbed by said the green porphyrin; and b. a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. The administration of the green porphyrin need not be accompanied by any purposeful irradiation with light.

Abstract: A composition and method for inhibiting apoptosis, or decreasing the rate or extent of apoptosis, in target cells. The method comprises the step of the step of contacting the target cells with an apoptosis-regulating amount of at least one cysteine or serine protease inhibitor that: a. inhibits the conversion of the pro-enzyme form of CPP32 to its enzymatically-active form; b. blocks the proteolytic action of activated CPP32 against its cellular substrates; or c. both. The method is particularly applicable to ameliorating the side effects of, or enhancing the selectivity, of photodynamic therapy.

Abstract: The invention provides a method to inhibit the formation of neovasculature while maintaining viability of the underlying tissue by subjecting a subject in which angiogenesis is to be inhibited to sublethal photodynamic therapy. The invention also provides a model for assessing sublethal PDT protocols to inhibit angiogenesis in particular target tissues.

Abstract: Multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis can be treated effectively using photodynamic therapy. In this protocol, a photoactive compound is administered, allowed to distribute in the effected subject, and the subject is then irradiated to activate the photoactive compound. Alternatively, the blood of a subject to be treated can be subjected to PDT extracorporeally. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, localized treatment at the joints may also be employed.