Photodynamic Compounds Activated by Ionizing Radiation for Deep Tissue Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current photodynamic therapy (PDT) methods using electromagnetic radiation face limitations in penetrating deep tissues, particularly with visible light and UV light, which restricts the activation of photodynamic compounds in deep tumors and requires invasive illumination devices, and ionizing radiation can cause DNA damage and incorrect DNA repair.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the administration of a photodynamic compound containing transition metals, such as osmium, ruthenium, and rhodium, which is activated by ionizing radiation like X-rays and gamma rays to destroy hyperproliferating cells and microorganisms, potentially combined with non-ionizing radiation for synergistic effects, without the need for a molecular conjugate comprising a radioluminescent molecule and a photosensitizer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If visible light or UV light is used to activate photodynamic compounds, then the activation and therapeutic effect is achieved, but the penetration depth into tissue is limited and invasive illumination devices are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the activation parameter from visible/UV light to ionizing radiation (X-rays, gamma rays). This parameter change enables deep tissue penetration while maintaining photodynamic compound activation, as ionizing radiation can penetrate deep into tissues unlike visible or UV light.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using conventional low-energy visible light for activation, the patent inverts the approach by using high-energy ionizing radiation to activate the photodynamic compounds. This inversion allows the radiation to penetrate deep tissues first, then activate the compounds at the target site.
2Length of moving object
If ionizing radiation is used to activate photodynamic compounds in deep tumors, then deep tissue penetration is achieved, but DNA damage and incorrect DNA repair occur
Solution Approach 1:
The photodynamic compound acts as an intermediary that converts ionizing radiation into localized cytotoxic effects. The compound absorbs the ionizing radiation energy and transforms it into reactive oxygen species that destroy target cells, thereby mediating between the penetrating radiation and the therapeutic effect while minimizing direct DNA damage from radiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful ionizing radiation into a beneficial therapeutic effect. By using photodynamic compounds that activate upon ionizing radiation exposure, the harmful radiation energy is transformed into targeted cell destruction through reactive oxygen species generation, turning a harmful factor into a therapeutic benefit.
3Length of moving object
If a molecular conjugate comprising radioluminescent molecule and photosensitizer is used, then X-ray activation capability is achieved, but the device complexity and molecular design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using photodynamic compounds that can be activated by multiple types of radiation (visible light, UV light, and ionizing radiation). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate radioluminescent molecules and photosensitizer conjugates, as a single compound can respond to different radiation types, thereby reducing molecular design complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively inhibits cell proliferation and destroys targeted cells and microorganisms with enhanced efficacy, including synergistic effects when combining ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, while minimizing DNA damage and improving treatment safety.
Implementation Method 1
irradiating the photodynamic compound in the organism with electromagnetic radiation, wherein the electromagnetic radiation comprises ionizing radiation and is effective to activate the photodynamic compound
Implementation Method 2
metal-based coordination complexes... capable of cleaving DNA when irradiated low energy visible light with or without molecular oxygen
Implementation Method 3
producing singlet oxygen
Data Source
AI summary
A method for destroying cells and/or microorganisms in an organism includes the following steps: (a) administering to the organism a composition including a photodynamic compound containing at least one transition metal; and (b) irradiating the photodynamic compound in the organism with electromagnetic radiation, wherein the electromagnetic radiation includes ionizing radiation and is effective to activate the photodynamic compound to destroy at least one of the cells and the microorganisms in the organism. The ionizing radiation is preferably X-rays and/or gamma rays. The non-ionizing radiation is preferably light in the range from 600-950 nm.