Liposomal hypocrellin B as a potential photosensitizer for age-related macular degeneration: pharmacokinetics, photodynamic efficacy, and skin phototoxicity in vivo.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been successfully implemented as a treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), but very few photosensitizers have been developed for clinical use. Herein, we describe a novel formulation of liposomal hypocrellin B (LHB) that was prepared by high-pressure homogenization. The encapsulation efficiency and PDT efficacy in vitro of this new preparation were found to remain nearly constant over 1 year. Moreover, LHB is rapidly cleared from the blood, with a half-life of 2.319 ± 0.462 h and a very low serum concentration at 24 h after injection. Testing in a rat model of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) showed that leakage of blood vessels in CNV lesions was significantly reduced when LHB PDT was given at a dose of 1 mg kg(-1) along with yellow laser irradiation; the damage to the collateral retina and the retinal pigment epithelium was minimal. Skin phototoxicity assays showed that only two of the 200 mice given a 4 mg per kg dose of LHB experienced an inflammatory reaction in the auricle irradiated at 24 h after dosing. These data collectively indicate that LHB may be a safe and effective photosensitizer for vascular-targeted PDT of AMD.

New optional photodynamic therapy laser wavelength for infantile port wine stains: 457 nm.

To expand the optional laser wavelengths of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for port wine stain (PWS), the feasibility of applying a 457 nm laser to the PDT for infantile PWS was analyzed by mathematical simulation and was validated by clinical experiment. Singlet oxygen yield of 457 nm PDT or 532 nm PDT in an infantile PWS model and an adult PWS model was theoretically simulated. Fifteen PWS patients (14 infants and 1 adult) with 40 spots were treated with 457 nm (20 spots) and 532 nm (20 spots), respectively, in two PDT courses. Simulation results showed that under the same power density and irradiation time, singlet oxygen yield of 457 nm PDT and 532 nm PDT are similar in infantile PWS vessels. Yet, in adult PWS vessels, singlet oxygen yield of 457 nm PDT is lower than 532 nm PDT. Clinical outcomes showed that no statistic difference existed between 457 nm PDT and 532 nm PDT for infantile PWS. The result of this study suggested that 457 nm wavelength laser has the potential to be applied in PDT for infantile PWS.

Single-wall carbon nanotubes assisted photothermal cancer therapy: animal study with a murine model of squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There has been a dramatic increase in photothermal therapy as a minimally invasive treatment modality for cancer treatment due to the development of novel nanomaterials as the light absorption agents. Single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with strong optical absorption in the broad visible and near IR offer unique advantages for photothermal cancer therapy. A broad range of wavelengths can be used for the treatment with SWNTs, whereas conventional photothermal therapeutic agent is designed to absorb light only near one selected wavelength. The objective of this study is to validate the hypothesis that intratumoral injected SWNTs can absorb 785 nm near IR laser light and generate significant local hyperthermia to destroy tumors. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: SCCVII tumor in C3H/HeN mice was exposed to 785-nm laser after intratumoral injection of SWNTs with different light and SWNTs dose combinations. The temperatures of the tumor with laser irradiation were monitored. In vivo and ex vivo Raman spectra in different organs were obtained with a rapid Raman system. Tumor responses (tumor volume and mouse survival) were documented daily after treatment up to day 45 to assess the effectiveness of the treatment. RESULTS: The temperature within the tumors increased in a light- and SWNTs-dose dependent manner. Squamous cell carcinomas can be eradicated at a moderate light irradiance and fluence (200 mW/cm² and 120 J/cm²). This light dose is also comparable to those used with photodynamic therapy. Tissue Raman spectroscopy measurements revealed that SWNTs remained localized in the tumor even 3 months after injection but was not found in other organs. CONCLUSIONS: This animal study represents a significant step forward towards the goal of advancing SWNTs based photothermal cancer therapy into clinical applications.

Light distribution in intravascular low level laser therapy applying mathematical simulation: a comparative study.

Intravascular low level laser therapy (ILLLT) has been applied in the treatment of many diseases for about twenty years. However, much fundamental work has not been done on its dosimetry. The study was designed to compare the difference of light distribution during ILLLT between using flat end fiber and optical fiber coupled with cylindrical light diffuser. Light distribution of He-Ne laser was processed by Monte Carlo model. The laser output was 5 mW. The diameter of both optical fibers was 400 microm. Four tissue optical parameters were chosen for simulation. The results showed that optical parameters of blood are important to determine the distribution of laser energy. The highest power density could increase to over 5000 mW/cm2 using flat end fiber. And the laser energy was absorbed by the blood cells in very small area before the tip of flat end fiber. But when using optical fiber coupled with cylindrical light diffuser, the highest power density was about 100 mW/cm2. More volume of blood cells could be irradiated by laser light. In summary, optical fiber coupled with cylindrical light diffuser is superior to flat end fiber at the aspect of increasing the volume of irradiated blood and decreasing unwanted damage to blood cells during intravascular low level laser therapy.