Adduct of fluorescent dye and tumor avid tetrapyrrole

Abstract

A compound having preferential localization in tumor tissue relative to normal tissue, a preferential electromagnetic absorption at a wavelength between about 660 and 900 nm, and a fluorescence at a wavelength shifted from the preferential absorption by at least +30 nm and preferably at least +50nm. The compound further preferably destroys tumor tissue in which it is absorbed when exposed to light at its preferential absorption wavelength. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compound is a conjugate of a tumor avid tetrapyrrole compound with a fluorescent dye, and more preferably the fluorescent dye is an indocyanine dye such as indocyanine green. The tumor avid tetrapyrrole compound is preferably a porphyrin derivative selected from the group consisting of chlorins, bacteriochlorins, purpurins and derivatives thereof.

Description

Background of the invention [0001] Detection of early neoplastic changes is important from an outcome standpoint because once invasive cancer and cancer metastasis have occurred, treatment becomes difficult. Currently, excisional biopsy followed by histological examination is considered the "gold standard" for diagnosing early neoplastic changes and carcinomas. Occasionally, cytology, that is, analysis of superficial or excretory cells rather than excisional biopsy, is done. These techniques are powerful diagnostic tools because they provide high-resolution spatial and morphological information about the cellular and subcellular structure of tissues. The contrast and specificity of histopathological detection can be improved through the use of staining and processing. However, both of these diagnostic procedures require physical removal of the sample followed by manipulation of the tissue in the laboratory. These procedures are relatively costly because of the shipping and ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, such an approach has notable difficulties due to several factors including: lack of significant preferential tumor uptake, toxicity, and lack of sufficient penetration, whether due to activation of the fluorescent compound or already sufficiently penetrated in the tumor or emissions detected in vitro

Furthermore, such compounds, while potentially detectable, do not function to destroy tumors and other hyperplastic tissues

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