Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating disease of a subject in need thereof by sensitizing the effects of a co-therapeutic agent in macrophages. The method comprises administering a texaphyrin and a co-therapeutic agent to the subject. Texaphyrins are provided for enhancing the cytotoxicity of therapeutic agents in macrophage-mediated disease since texaphyrins have been shown to accumulate in macrophage.

Abstract: The use of texaphyrins for ocular diagnosis and therapy is provided, especially use of photosensitive texaphyrins for photodynamic therapy of conditions of the eye characterized by abnormal vasculature, such as macular degeneration, or pterygium, for example. The photosensitive texaphyrin may be a free-base texaphyrin or may be metallated with a diamagnetic metal. Preferably, the photosensitive texaphyrin is metallated with lutetium. Due to the dual wavelength absorption of texaphyrins, i.e., at 400-500 nm and at 700-800 nm, especially about 732 nm, as compared to porphyrins, texaphyrins are more effective and versatile for use in humans as compared to porphyrins. Texaphyrins serve as effective contrast agents in ocular angiography.

Abstract: The use of texaphyrins for ocular diagnosis and therapy is provided, especially use of photosensitive texaphyrins for photodynamic therapy of conditions of the eye characterized by abnormal vasculature, such as macular degeneration, or pterygium, for example. The photosensitive texaphyrin may be a free-base texaphyrin or may be metallated with a diamagnetic metal. Preferably, the photosensitive texaphyrin is metallated with lutetium. Due to the dual wavelength absorption of texaphyrins, i.e., at 400-500 nm and at 700-800 nm, especially about 732 nm, as compared to porphyrins, texaphyrins are more effective and versatile for use in humans as compared to porphyrins. Texaphyrins serve as effective contrast agents in ocular angiography.

Abstract: Texaphyrins are selectively retained in diseased tissue cells. When exposed to low level, non-thermal sonodynamic agent such as ultrasound, the texaphyrin-incorporated cells are selectively destroyed. There is provided a method of sonodynamic therapy by administering an effective amount of an intracellular sensitizer to a mammal in need thereof and providing an effective amount of a sonodynamic agent.

Abstract: Melanotic melanoma tumor or cells, melanin, or melanin metabolites are detected, identified, and localized when bound to texaphyrins or texaphyrin metal complexes. The present invention provides texaphyrins and texaphyrin metal complexes as reagents for in vivo or in vitro detection for melanin or melanin metabolites predictive of the presence of melanotic melanoma.

Abstract: The present invention involves the use of a photosensitive texaphyrin for the photodynamic treatment of a pigmented lesion, such as a melanodermic lesion, or a lesion obscured by pigmented tissue such as melaniferous tissue in a subject. In particular, the invention provides a treatment for the metastatic process of melanoma, and a method for inhibiting growth of established metastases of melanoma. The photosensitive texaphyrin may be a free-base texaphyrin or may be metallated with a diamagnetic metal. Preferably, the texaphyrin is metallated with lutetium. Heretofore, melanoma has been refractory to treatment with photodynamic therapy.