Abstract: A method of vaccination or immunisation involving the use of a photosensitizing agent, an antigenic molecule, e.g. a vaccine component, and an agent which enhances the effect of photochemical internalization (PCI)-mediated vaccination is disclosed wherein the agent is a ligand for a Toll-like receptor (TLR), and irradiation is with light of a wavelength effective to activate the photosensitizing agent. Antigenic, e.g. vaccine compositions, useful in such a method are also disclosed along with a method of generating antigen presenting cells which may be used to generate an immune response based on introducing antigenic molecules, e.g. vaccine components, into cells to achieve antigen presentation. The invention also provides methods of achieving vaccination in a subject using such cells.

Abstract: A device for activating light-induced rupture of endocytic vesicles in target cells of a patient so as to effect delivery of an administered antigen to cytosol in the target cells, is described. The device is adapted to be worn by a patient over a region of skin where an antigen and a photosensitising agent are to be administered. The device comprises a rear surface that is rounded or otherwise configured to be worn against the patient's skin. It has a retaining part for retaining the device in place over the region of the patient's skin during an activation cycle. A light source is arranged to illuminate the patient's skin from the rear of the device. A control system is configured to vary the output of the light source with respect to time in accordance with a pre-configured output sequence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel chitosan-based conjugates, e.g. nanocarriers, comprising a derivative of the biocompatible polymer chitosan conjugated to a photosensitizing agent, and uses thereof in photochemical internalization (PCI) and photodynamic therapy (PDT). The invention also relates to the use of the novel conjugates of the invention in treatment or prevention of diseases, particularly cancer, and for vaccination purposes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of stimulating an immune response to an antigenic molecule, by contacting a cell with the antigenic molecule and with a photosensitizing agent, irradiating the cell, and thereby presenting the antigenic molecule, or part thereof, on the surface of said cell and stimulating an immune response.

Abstract: A method of vaccination or immunisation involving the use of a photosensitizing agent, an antigenic molecule, e.g. a vaccine component, and an agent which enhances the effect of photochemical internalization (PCI)-mediated vaccination is disclosed wherein the agent is a ligand for a Toll-like receptor (TLR), and irradiation is with light of a wavelength effective to activate the photosensitizing agent. Antigenic, e.g. vaccine compositions, useful in such a method are also disclosed along with a method of generating antigen presenting cells which may be used to generate an immune response based on introducing antigenic molecules, e.g. vaccine components, into cells to achieve antigen presentation. The invention also provides methods of achieving vaccination in a subject using such cells.

Abstract: A device for activating light-induced rupture of endocytic vesicles in target cells of a patient so as to effect delivery of an administered antigen to cytosol in the target cells, is described. The device is adapted to be worn by a patient over a region of skin where an antigen and a photosensitising agent are to be administered. The device comprises a rear surface that is rounded or otherwise configured to be worn against the patient's skin. It has a retaining part for retaining the device in place over the region of the patient's skin during an activation cycle. A light source is arranged to illuminate the patient's skin from the rear of the device. A control system is configured to vary the output of the light source with respect to time in accordance with a pre-configured output sequence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel chitosan-based conjugates, e.g. nanocarriers, comprising a derivative of the biocompatible polymer chitosan conjugated to a photosensitising agent, and uses thereof in photochemical internalisation (PCI) and photodynamic therapy (PDT). The invention also relates to the use of the novel conjugates of the invention in treatment or prevention of diseases, particularly cancer, and for vaccination purposes.

Abstract: The invention relates to pharmaceutically acceptable salts of amphiphilic photosensitizing agents which have a water solubility of at least 0.5 mg/ml and to their use in methods of photochemical internalization. Such salts may be formed from a pharmaceutically acceptable base, for example an organic amine such as an amino alcohol, or from a pharmaceutically acceptable acid, for example a sulphonic acid or a sulphonic acid derivative. Due to their increased water solubility, such salts are particularly suitable for use in the preparation of parenteral pharmaceutical preparations, e.g. for use as solutions for injection or infusion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of expressing an antigenic molecule or a part thereof on the surface of an antigen-presenting cell, said method comprising introducing a molecule into the cell cytosol by photochemical internalisation, wherein said molecule, or a part thereof, is subsequently presented on the surface of said cell. Methods of vaccination comprising this method, together with compositions comprising said cells and uses involving said cells expressing antigenic molecules are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of introducing drugs into cells which are located in body cavities. In particular, it provides a photosensitizing agent for use in a method of introducing a drug molecule into the cytosol of a cell located within a body cavity, said method comprising the step of contacting said cell with said photosensitizing agent and said drug molecule, and irradiating the cell with light of a wavelength effective to activate the photosensitizing agent. Such methods are particularly suitable for use in the delivery of cytotoxic drugs in the treatment of cancer, especially bladder cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, lung cancer, brain cancer, colorectal cancer and cancers of the oral and nasal cavity.

Abstract: The invention relates to pharmaceutically acceptable salts of amphiphilic photosensitizing agents which have a water solubility of at least 0.5 mg/ml and to their use in methods of photochemical internalization. Such salts may be formed from a pharmaceutically acceptable base, for example an organic amine such as an amino alcohol, or from a pharmaceutically acceptable acid, for example a sulphonic acid or a sulphonic acid derivative. Due to their increased water solubility, such salts are particularly suitable for use in the preparation of parenteral pharmaceutical preparations, e.g. for use as solutions for injection or infusion.

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 photosensitising agent, the cell is irradiated with light of a wavelength effective to activate the photosensitising 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 photosensitising agent, the cell is irradiated with light of a wavelength effective to activate the photosensitising 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: 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.

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 photosensitising agent, the cell is irradiated with light of a wavelength effective to activate the photosensitising 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 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: 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.