Photocure technology – providing more selective treatment and diagnosis
Photocure’s unique proprietary technology provides new essential qualities that further enhance the efficacy of photodynamic therapy and diagnosis.
Precursor-based
Photocure's technology is precursor-based, thus reducing side effects and increasing selectivity. An inactive substance (precursor) is administered to the patient. After uptake into the cells, the precursor is transformed to endogenous photoactive porphyrins that may be activated by light. Due to different metabolic activity in cancer cells photoactive porphyrins accumulate to a larger degree in these cells. When illuminated, the photoactive cancer cells are killed, while healthy tissue is preserved.
Local administration
Photocure’s technology is based on local application, thus avoiding the widespread side effects associated with the intravenous injection of other photosensitisers. By administering the precursor locally, for example in the bladder or on a certain area on the skin, a full therapeutic effect is obtained without affecting surrounding, normal tissue.
Chemical modification
Photocure has developed many new precursors by chemical modification of a naturally occuring building block: 5-aminolevulinic acid. By careful selection among these, the most suitable substance for treatment or diagnosis can be found. This provides for high selectivity and contributes to excellent therapeutic efficacy with very modest side effects.
Well-suited for diagnostic purposes
Since cancer tissue builds up more photoactive porphyrins than normal tissue, the cancer cells stand out as fluorescent when exposed to blue light. This provides a sensitive diagnostic tool for demonstrating the presence of disease. Fluorescence may also be helpful as a guide during surgical removal of cancer tissue.