Systems and methods for interior energy-activation from an exterior source

• US 9,498,643 B2
• Filed: 11/04/2015
• Issued: 11/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immunolight, LLC
• Original Assignee: Immunolight, LLC
• Inventors: Bourke, Frederic A. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): MCCLENDON, SANZA L
• Application Number:
  US14/932,435
• Publication Number:
  US 20160067524A1
• Time in Patent Office: 384 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 2/50 by irradiation or electric treatment without heating
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 3/26 by irradiation without heating
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 3/263 with corpuscular or ionising radiation, i.e. X, alpha, beta or omega radiation laser plasma radiation A23L3/26
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 3/28 with ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 5/32 using phonon wave energy, e.g. sound or ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2002/00 Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 41/0057 Photodynamic therapy with a photosensitizer, i.e. agent able to produce reactive oxygen species upon exposure to light or radiation, e.g. UV or visible light; photocleavage of nucleic acids with an agent
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 41/0066 Psoralene-activated UV-A photochemotherapy (PUVA-therapy), e.g. for treatment of psoriasis or eczema, extracorporeal photopheresis with psoralens or fucocoumarins
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/0011 using physical methods
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/0047 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/0076 using a photocatalyst or photosensitiser
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/082 X-rays
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/088 using a photocatalyst or photosensitiser
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/16 using chemical substances
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/21 Pharmaceuticals, e.g. medicaments, artificial body parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/22 Blood or products thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3683 using photoactive agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0661 ultraviolet
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0662 Visible light
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1087 : Ions; Protons
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1089 : Electrons
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1098 : Enhancing the effect of the particle by an injected agent or implanted device
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/062 : Photodynamic therapy, i.e. excitation of an agent
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0624 : for eliminating microbes, germs, bacteria on or in the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/10 : X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray therapy; Particle-irradiation therapy A61N5/01 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/04 : Antibacterial agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/18 : for HIV
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 35/00 : Antineoplastic agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 7/08 : Plasma substitutes; Perfusion solutions; Dialytics or haemodialytics; Drugs for electrolytic or acid-base disorders, e.g. hypovolemic shock artificial tears A61P27/04
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/082 : Gamma-radiation only
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/085 : Electron beams only
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/12 : employing electromagnetic waves
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/123 : Ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/125 : X-rays
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/127 : Sunlight; Visible light
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/128 : Infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0877 : Liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0879 : Solid
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0892 : involving catalytically active material
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/1203 : Incoherent waves
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2231/005 : General concepts, e.g. reviews, relating to methods of using catalyst systems, the concept being defined by a common method or theory, e.g. microwave heating or multiple stereoselectivity
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 23/50 : Silver
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 23/52 : Gold
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2531/005 : Catalytic metals
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2531/008 : Methods or theories
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 31/0275 : also containing elements or functional groups covered by B01J31/0201 - B01J31/0269
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 31/2295 : Cyclic compounds, e.g. cyclopentadienyls
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 35/19 : Catalysts containing parts with different compositions
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 35/23 : in a colloidal state
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 35/39 : Photocatalytic properties
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 37/0072 : Preparation of particles, e.g. dispersion of droplets in an oil bath
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 37/0221 : of particles
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 20/00 : Nanooptics, e.g. quantum optics or photonic crystals
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 : Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 40/00 : Manufacture or treatment of nanostructures
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/30 : by irradiation
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/302 : with microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/305 : with electrons
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/307 : with X-rays or gamma radiation
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/32 : with ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/725 : by catalytic oxidation
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2305/10 : Photocatalysts
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 2300/00 : Characterised by the use of unspecified polymers
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 3/24 : Crosslinking, e.g. vulcanising, of macromolecules mechanical aspects B29C35/00; crosslinking agents C08K
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 3/28 : Treatment by wave energy or particle radiation
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 7/18 : using wave energy or particle radiation
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 201/00 : Coating compositions based on unspecified macromolecular compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 201/00 : Adhesives based on unspecified macromolecular compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 2301/416 : use of irradiation
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 5/00 : Adhesive processes in general; Adhesive processes not provided for elsewhere, e.g. relating to primers
• CPC Class Codes: C12H 1/06 : Precipitation by physical means, e.g. by irradiation, vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/008 : Surface plasmon devices diffractive gratings with a pitch less than or comparable to the wavelength G02B5/1809; surface plasmons in integrated optics G02B6/1226; optical analysis of materials by means of surface plasmons G01N21/553
• CPC Class Codes: G21K 5/00 : Irradiation devices discharge tubes for irradiating H01J37/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/37 : using solar energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/774 : Exhibiting three-dimensional carrier confinement, e.g. quantum dots
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/777 : Metallic powder or flake
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/896 : Chemical synthesis, e.g. chemical bonding or breaking
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/915 : Therapeutic or pharmaceutical composition
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/10 : Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor

Abstract

A method and a system for producing a change in a medium. The method places in a vicinity of the medium at least one energy modulation agent. The method applies an initiation energy to the medium. The initiation energy interacts with the energy modulation agent to directly or indirectly produce the change in the medium. The system includes an initiation energy source configured to apply an initiation energy to the medium to activate the energy modulation agent.

Claims

1. A method for treating a condition, disorder or disease comprising:

providing an activation energy sufficient to cause a predetermined change in a subject, wherein the activation energy is generated in-situ in said subject by application of an initiation energy which is converted in-situ to said activation energy, wherein the initiation energy is at least one member selected from the group consisting of x-rays, gamma rays, and electron beams; and

prior to or simultaneously with providing the activation energy, administering to the subject at least one activatable pharmaceutical agent that is activatable in situ by the activation energy, wherein upon activation, the activated at least one activatable pharmaceutical agent effects the predetermined change in the subject,

wherein said predetermined change at least one of

     1) causes a change in organism activity or

     2) treats the condition, disorder, or disease.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to said applying of the initiation energy, administering to the subject at least one energy modulation agent that assists in converting the initiation energy to the activation energy.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one energy modulation agent comprises one or more selected from a biocompatible fluorescing metal nanoparticle, fluorescing dye molecule, gold nanoparticle, a water soluble quantum dot encapsulated by polyamidoamine dendrimers, a luciferase, a biocompatible phosphorescent molecule, a combined electromagnetic energy harvester molecule, and a lanthanide chelate capable of intense luminescence.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the energy modulation agent comprises a fluorophore.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the at least one energy modulation agent comprises a single energy modulation agent, and is coupled to said at least one activatable pharmaceutical agent.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the initiation energy source is selected from the group consisting of x-rays and electron beams.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the initiation energy produces energy states for energy transfer to the at least one activatable pharmaceutical agent.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the initiation energy is directed at a solid tumor.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the initiation energy directly or indirectly activates the at least one activatable pharmaceutical agent.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the initiation energy directly or indirectly activates a psoralen.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the initiation energy directly or indirectly activates 8-MOP or AMT.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the initiation energy damages DNA in target cells.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the initiation energy comprises ionizing radiation which interacts to produce reactive groups at a target site.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the reactive groups comprise at least a member selected from the group consisting of ions, singlet oxygen, free radicals, and hydroxides.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined change is a predetermined cellular change.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said condition, disorder or disease is a cell proliferation disorder and said predetermined cellular change treats the cell proliferation disorder by causing an increase or decrease in cell proliferation rate of a target cell.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one activatable pharmaceutical agent is activated by one or more sequential single photon absorption events.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one activatable pharmaceutical agent comprises an active agent contained within a photocage, wherein upon exposure to said initiation energy, the photocage disassociates from the active agent, rendering the active agent available.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one activatable pharmaceutical agent comprises an active agent contained within a photocage, and said activation energy is UV-A or visible energy, wherein upon exposure to said UV-A or visible energy, the photocage disassociates from the active agent, rendering the active agent available.

20. The method of claim 1, the activation energy is capable of penetrating human tissue up to about 4 mm.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one activated pharmaceutical agent causes an auto-vaccine effect in the subject that reacts with a target cell.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined cellular change is apoptosis in a target cell.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the disorder is at least one member selected from the group consisting of cancer, bacterial infection, viral infection, immune rejection response, autoimmune disorders, and aplastic conditions.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one activatable pharmaceutical agent is a photoactivatable agent.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one activatable pharmaceutical agent is selected from psoralens, pyrene cholesteryloleate, acridine, porphyrin, fluorescein, rhodamine, 16-diazorcortisone, ethidium, transition metal complexes of bleomycin, transition metal complexes of deglycobleomycin organoplatinum complexes, alloxazines, vitamin Ks, vitamin L, vitamin metabolites, vitamin precursors, naphthoquinones, naphthalenes, naphthols and derivatives thereof having planar molecular conformations, porphyrins, dyes and phenothiazine derivatives, coumarins, quinolones, quinones, and anthroquinones.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one activatable pharmaceutical agent is a psoralen, a coumarin, or a derivative thereof.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the at least one activatable pharmaceutical agent is 8-MOP or AMT.

28. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one activatable pharmaceutical agent is one selected from 7,8-dimethyl-10-ribityl, isoalloxazine, 7,8,10-trimethylisoalloxazine, 7,8-dimethylalloxazine, isoalloxazine-adenine dinucleotide, alloxazine mononucleotide, aluminum (III) phthalocyanine tetrasulonate, hematoporphyrin, and phthadocyanine.

29. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one activatable pharmaceutical agent is coupled to a carrier that is capable of binding to a receptor site.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the carrier is one selected from insulin, interleukin, thymopoietin or transferrin.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the at least one activatable pharmaceutical agent is coupled to the carrier by a covalent bond.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the at least one activatable pharmaceutical agent is coupled to the carrier by a non-covalent bond.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein the receptor site is one selected from nucleic acids of nucleated cells, antigenic sites on nucleated cells, or epitopes.

34. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one activatable pharmaceutical agent has affinity for a target cell.

35. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one activatable pharmaceutical agent is capable of being preferentially absorbed by a target cell.

36. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one activatable pharmaceutical agent is a DNA intercalator or a halogenated derivative thereof.

37. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing to the subject at least one additive having a complementary therapeutic or diagnostic effect.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein said additive comprises at least one of an antioxidant, an adjuvant, or a combination thereof.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein said antioxidant is added to reduce side-effects of irradiation.

40. A method for treating a condition, disorder or disease comprising:

providing an activation energy sufficient to cause a predetermined change in a subject, wherein the activation energy is generated in-situ in said subject by application of an initiation energy which is converted in-situ to said activation energy, wherein the initiation energy is at least one member selected from the group consisting of x-rays, gamma rays, electron beams; and

protons, and

prior to or simultaneously with providing the activation energy, administering to the subject at least one activatable pharmaceutical agent that is activatable by the activation energy, wherein upon activation, the activated at least one activatable pharmaceutical agent effects the predetermined change in the subject,

wherein said predetermined change at least one of

     1) causes a change in organism activity or

     2) treats the condition, disorder, or disease.

41. A method for treating a condition, disorder or disease comprising:

providing an activation energy sufficient to cause a predetermined change in a subject, wherein the activation energy is generated in-situ in said subject by application of an initiation energy which produces multiple energy states, at least one of the energy states providing the activation energy, wherein the initiation energy is at least one member selected from the group consisting of x-rays, gamma rays, and electron beams; and

prior to or simultaneously with providing the activation energy, administering to the subject at least one activatable pharmaceutical agent that is activatable by the activation energy, wherein upon activation, the activated at least one activatable pharmaceutical agent effects the predetermined change in the subject,

wherein said predetermined change at least one of

     1) causes a change in organism activity

     2) treats the condition, disorder, or disease.