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 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 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: 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: 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: 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.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: The present invention relates to the use of a photosensitiser which is 5-ALA or a precursor or derivative thereof (e.g. an ALA ester), in the manufacture of a pharmaceutical product for use in the photodynamic treatment or diagnosis of cancer, an infection associated with cancer, or in the treatment or diagnosis of a non-cancerous condition, wherein said pharmaceutical product is in the form of a solid. The invention also relates to solid pharmaceutical products for use in such methods, e.g. suppositories, pessaries, tablets, pellets and capsules which comprise 5-ALA or a precursor or derivative thereof (e.g. an ALA ester) and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient. Such products are particularly suitable for use in the photodynamic treatment or diagnosis of cancerous or non-cancerous conditions in the lower part of the gastrointestinal system or in the female reproductive system, e.g. in the treatment or diagnosis of colorectal cancer or cervical cancer.

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.

Abstract: The invention provides 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 medicament for use in the prevention or treatment of acne.

Abstract: Provided herein are improved methods of photodynamic treatment and diagnosis of cancer and non-cancerous conditions in the gastrointestinal tract, e.g. in the colon, and in particular hyperosmotic enema preparations for use in such methods. The enema preparations comprise a photosensitizer which is 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) or a precursor or derivative thereof, e.g. a 5-ALA ester, in combination with at least one hyperosmotic agent. The methods and preparations herein described are particularly suitable for use in photodynamic methods of treating and/or diagnosing colorectal cancer.

Abstract: This invention relates to solid compositions and solid pharmaceutical products for use in methods of photodynamic diagnosis of cancer, pre-cancerous and non-cancerous conditions in the lower part of the gastrointestinal system. The solid pharmaceutical 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 photodynamic diagnosis of cancer, pre-cancerous and non-cancerous conditions of the lower gastrointestinal tract, wherein the solid pharmaceutical compositions and pharmaceutical products are used.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved methods of photodynamic treatment and diagnosis of cancer and non-cancerous conditions, and in particular to improved enema preparations for use in such methods, said enema preparations comprising a photosensitiser which is 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) or a precursor or derivative thereof, e.g. a 5-ALA ester. Such preparations may further comprise one or more viscosity enhancing agents, mucoadhesive or mucolytic agents, penetration enhancers or chelating agents. The methods and preparations herein described are particularly suitable for use in photodynamic methods of treating and/or diagnosing cancer and non-cancerous conditions in the colon and/or rectum.

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.