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: This invention relates generally to the field of pharmacotherapeutics and the use of photodynamic therapy (“PDT”). In particular, the invention provides a method for reducing or preventing the effects of inflammation arising from normal dose photodynamic therapy (PDT), which method comprises exposing a target tissue in a subject that has been treated with normal dose PDT treatment to low dose light having a wavelength absorbed by a photosensitizing agent used in said normal dose PDT treatment for a time sufficient to reduce or prevent the effects of inflammation arising from said normal dose PDT treatment. The method is particularly useful in reducing or preventing the effects of inflammation arising from normal dose PDT treatment of ocular tissues.

Abstract: Immuno-adjuvant photodynamic therapy to treat and prevent metastatic cancer is effected using photosensitizers in combination with immuno-adjuvants to destroy metastatic tumor cells.

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.

Abstract: The present method involves the photodynamic treatment of hyperactive gland disorders. The method involves the topical administration of a photosensitizer composition comprising hydrophobic and/or lipophilic green porphyrins such as lemuteporfin, polyethylene glycol and skin penetration enhancers such as oleyl alcohol and TRANSCUTOL™ to affected skin and subsequent exposure of that skin to energy of a wavelength capable of activating the photosensitizer.

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: 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.

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: This invention relates generally to the field of pharmacotherapeutics and the use of photodynamic therapy (“PDT”). In particular, the invention provides a method for reducing or preventing the effects of inflammation arising from normal dose photodynamic therapy (PDT), which method comprises exposing a target tissue in a subject that has been treated with normal dose PDT treatment to low dose light having a wavelength absorbed by a photosensitizing agent used in said normal dose PDT treatment for a time sufficient to reduce or prevent the effects of inflammation arising from said normal dose PDT treatment. The method is particularly useful in reducing or preventing the effects of inflammation arising from normal dose PDT treatment of ocular tissues.

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: The invention provides for the use of somatostatin receptor selective ligands (selective for SSTR1 or SSTR4) to treat human endothelial cells and to formulate medicaments for human use. The medicaments may for example be used to treat an angiogenic disease. In various embodiments, the angiogenic disease may for example be macular degeneration or a solid tumor. The SSTR1 or SSTR4 selective agonists may include the SSTR1 agonist (des-AA1,2,5 [DTrp8,IAamp9]SS).

Abstract: A method for reducing or preventing the effects of inflammation arising from injured tissue, which method comprises the steps of:

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: Immuno-adjuvant photodynamic therapy to treat and prevent metastatic cancer is effected using photosensitizers in combination with immuno-adjuvants to destroy metastatic tumor cells.

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 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: New compounds useful in photodynamic therapy are of the formula ##STR1## and their 1,4-diene isomers and the metallated and/or labeled and/or conjugated forms thereofwherein each R.sup.1 is independently alkyl (1-6C);each n is independently an integer of 0-6; andR.sup.2 is vinyl or a derivative form thereof.