Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensitizer-peptide conjugate for use in the treatment of cancer. In particular, the present invention relates to a sensitizer-peptide conjugate for use in the treatment of melanoma. The use of such sensitizer-peptide conjugate in photodynamic therapy or sonodynamic therapy is also disclosed. According to the present invention, there is provided a sensitizer-peptide conjugate for use in the treatment of cancer; wherein the sensitizer-peptide conjugate comprises at least one sensitizer and at least one peptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensitizer-peptide conjugate for use in the treatment of cancer. In particular, the present invention relates to a sensitizer-peptide conjugate for use in the treatment of melanoma. The use of such sensitizer-peptide conjugate in photodynamic therapy or sonodynamic therapy is also disclosed. According to the present invention, there is provided a sensitizer-peptide conjugate for use in the treatment of cancer; wherein the sensitizer-peptide conjugate comprises at least one sensitizer and at least one peptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensitizer-peptide conjugate for use in the treatment of cancer. In particular, the present invention relates to a sensitizer-peptide conjugate for use in the treatment of melanoma. The use of such sensitizer-peptide conjugate in photodynamic therapy or sonodynamic therapy is also disclosed. According to the present invention, there is provided a sensitizer-peptide conjugate for use in the treatment of cancer; wherein the sensitizer-peptide conjugate comprises at least one sensitizer and at least one peptide.

Abstract: Described and claimed is the combined use of an electric field and ultrasound to ablate a cell or tissue, the use of ultrasound to disrupt a nucleated cell which has previously been electrosensitised by exposure to an electric field, and the use of an electric field for sensitising a nucleated cell to ultrasound. We furthermore disclose the use of electricity to disrupt a nucleated cell which has previously been sensitised by exposure to ultrasound, and the use of ultrasound for sensitising a nucleated cell to electricity.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of sensitizing target cells to ultrasound energy using a stimulus such as an electric field. This “electrosensitisation” enables target cells to be disrupted by ultrasound at frequencies and energies of ultrasound which do not cause disruption of non-sensitized (i.e., non-target) cells. As a consequence, the method increases the selectivity of ultrasound therapy, providing a way to ablate undesired cells, such as diseased cells (e.g., tumor cells) while minimizing harm to neighboring cells. In another aspect, however, ultrasound can be used to sensitize cells while the electrical field is used to disrupt cells. The invention also provides an apparatus for performing the method and assays for identifying gene products and other molecules involved in apoptosis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for selectively releasing an agent loaded into a red blood cell, comprising electrosensitizing the red blood cell by application of an electric field and subsequently disrupting the cell selectively using ultrasound.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for selectively releasing an agent loaded into a red blood cell, comprising electrosensitising the red blood cell by application of an electric field and subsequently disrupting the cell selectively using ultrasound.

Abstract: Described and claimed is the combined use of an electric field and ultrasound to ablate a cell or tissue, the use of ultrasound to disrupt a nucleated cell which has previously been electrosensitised by exposure to an electric field, and the use of an electric field for sensitising a nucleated cell to ultrasound. We furthermore disclose the use of electricity to disrupt a nucleated cell which has previously been sensitised by exposure to ultrasound, and the use of ultrasound for sensitising a nucleated cell to electricity.

Abstract: We describe a method of delivering a micro-organism to an animal, the method comprising providing a formulation comprising a micro-organism suspended in or on a matrix; providing a feed stream for the animal; detaching micro-organisms from the matrix; and entraining detached micro-organisms into the feed stream. An apparatus for delivering a micro-organism to an animal is also described.

Abstract: A loading system for providing a cell suitable for delivery of an agent to a vertebrate, the system comprise a loading module for loading a cell with an agent; and a sensitisation module in fluid communication with the loading module, the sensitisation module for sensitising a cell to an energy field, such that said cell is induced to release the agent upon exposure to said energy field. The system can be used to transform a cell, such as a red blood cell, into a delivery vehicle for delivering a therapeutic agent and/or an imaging agent to a vertebrate, and in particular, to a mammal, such as a human being.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of sensitising target cells to ultrasound energy using a stimulus such as an electric field. This “electrosensitisation” enables target cells to be disrupted by ultrasound at frequencies and energies of ultrasound which do not cause disruption of non-sensitised (i.e., non-target) cells. As a consequence, the method increases the selectivity of ultrasound therapy, providing a way to ablate undesired cells, such as diseased cells (e.g., tumor cells) while minimising harm to neighboring cells. In another aspect, however, ultrasound can be used to sensitise cells while the electrical field is used to disrupt cells. The invention also provides an apparatus for performing the method and assays for identifying gene products and other molecules involved in apoptosis.

Abstract: A loading system for providing a cell suitable for delivery of an agent to a vertebrate, the system comprise a loading module for loading a cell with an agent; and a sensitisation module in fluid communication with the loading module, the sensitisation module for sensitising a cell to an energy field, such that said cell is induced to release the agent upon exposure to said energy field. The system can be used to transform a cell, such as a red blood cell, into a delivery vehicle for delivering a therapeutic agent and/or an imaging agent to a vertebrate, and in particular, to a mammal, such as a human being.

Abstract: A loading system for providing a cell suitable for delivery of an agent to a vertebrate, the system comprise a loading module for loading a cell with an agent; and a sensitization module in fluid communication with the loading module, the sensitization module for sensitizing a cell to an energy field, such that said cell is induced to release the agent upon exposure to said energy field. The system can be used to transform a cell, such as a red blood cell, into a delivery vehicle for delivering a therapeutic agent and/or an imaging agent to a vertebrate, and in particular, to a mammal, such as a human being.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for selectively releasing an agent loaded into a red blood cell, comprising electrosensitizing the red blood cell by application of an electric field and subsequently disrupting the cell selectively using ultrasound.