This technology is the use of the FDA-approved photosensitive diagnostic agent Cysview® combined with blue light irradiation as a therapeutic intervention for bladder cancer.
Current methods to treat bladder cancers involve a combination of surgical resection of the tumor followed by a heavy chemotherapeutic regimen. This treatment strategy subjects patients to high toxicity, adverse chemo-related side effects, and high recurrence rates. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) for cancer treatment is a process in which a photosensitive chemical is administered and absorbed by cancer cells, and subsequent exposure to a defined wavelength of light activates the drug to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) to kill cancer cells. PDT is currently implemented for the treatment of some cancers, such as esophageal and head and neck carcinomas; however, there has not been success in the treatment of bladder cancers using PDT.
This technology utilizes the photosensitive bladder cancer diagnostic agent Cysview® in combination with blue light photo-activation in killing cancer cells. In contrast to its diagnostic use, increased duration of Cysview® and blue light exposure leads to rapid production of ROS and death of cancer cells. This therapeutic strategy is cytotoxic to cancer cells derived from both non-muscle invasive and muscle-invasive bladder cancers from a spectrum of cancer-associated genetic mutations, demonstrating the wide applicability of this approach for urothelial cancers.
This technology has been validated with patient-derived bladder cancer organoids.
Patent Pending
IR CU24375
Licensing Contact: Joan Martinez