US5163898A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Medical treatment of tumors with phycocyanin
Assignee: University of California
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Filing: 1990-12-28
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Granted: 1992-11-17
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Expires: 2010-12-28
Abstract
Abstract A photochemical method is described for treating cancer wherein phycocyanin is administered to a patient suffering from internal or skin cancer. Once administered, phycocyanin is selectively taken up into cancer cells, and upon subsequent irradiation destruction of the cancer cells occurs. Phycocyanin offers several advantages over prior art chemicals used for similar purposes. First, it is only marginally sensitive to the ultraviolet portion of the spectrum; consequently patients can be irradiated without concern that they will be sensitized to subsequent exposure to sunlight. Second, phycocyanin is selectively taken up into cancer cells with little or no uptake by surrounding normal cells. This ensures that upon subsequent irradiation that the tumors are selectively destroyed with little or no damage to the surrounding cells or tissue. A variety of different types of cancer cells can be effectively treated by this method; treatments of breast cancer, leukemia and murine tumors are described.
Inventors
- 👤 N. Charle Morcos
- 👤 Walter L. Henry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:10
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61K; A61K31/00; A61K31/33; A61K31/395; A61K31/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for treating cancer by destroying tumor cells comprising the steps of: a. administering an effective amount of phycocyanin to a patient to effect contact of said phycocyanin with said tumor cells; b. placing a means for emitting light in the area of localization of said tumor cells; and c. irradiating said tumor cells containing said phycocyanin with light from said means for emitting light for a time effective to destroy said tumor cells.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for treating cancer by destroying tumor cells comprising the steps of: a. administering an effective amount of phycocyanin to a patient to effect contact of said phycocyanin with said tumor cells; b. placing a means for emitting light in the area of localization of said tumor cells; and c. irradiating said tumor cells containing said phycocyanin with light from said means for emitting light for a time effective to destroy said tumor cells.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as in claim 1 for treating cancer by destroying tumor cells wherein said light from said means for emitting light comprises light having a wavelength in the range of 375-647 nm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as in claim 2 for treating cancer by destroying tumor cells wherein said light from said means for emitting light comprises light having a wavelength selected from a group consisting of 375, 485-518, 600, 620 and 647 nm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 1 for treating cancer by destroying tumor cells wherein said means for emitting light is a laser.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as in claim 1 for treating cancer by destroying tumor cells wherein said contact with tumor cells is accomplished by injecting phycocyanin directly into the tumor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as in claim 1 for treating cancer by destroying tumor cells wherein said effective amount of phycocyanin for humans is determined by assuming a mouse dosage of less than 0.25 gm/kg of mouse body weight.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as in claim 6 for treating cancer by destroying tumor cells wherein said effective amount for humans is determined by assuming a mouse dosage of less than 0.05 gm/kg of mouse body weight.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for treating internal cancer by destroying internally located tumor cells comprising the steps of: a. administering an effective amount of phycocyanin internally to a patient to effect contact of said phycocyanin with said tumor cells; b. placing a means for emitting light in the area of localization of said tumor cells; and c. irradiating said tumor cells containing said phycocyanin with light from said means for emitting light for a time effective to destroy said tumor cells.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for treating internal cancer by destroying internally located tumor cells comprising the steps of: a. administering an effective amount of phycocyanin internally to a patient to effect contact of said phycocyanin with said tumor cells; b. placing a means for emitting light in the area of localization of said tumor cells; and c. irradiating said tumor cells containing said phycocyanin with light from said means for emitting light for a time effective to destroy said tumor cells.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as in claim 8 for treating internal cancer wherein said phycocyanin is administered to said patient by injection means selected from the group consisting of intravenous, intraarterial, intravascular, intraperitoneal, and subdermal injection.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 8 for treating internal cancer wherein said phycocyanin is administered to said patient by delivery with a catheter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as in claim 8 for treating internal cancer wherein said effective amount of phycocyanin for humans is determined by assuming a mouse dosage of less than 0.25 gm/kg of mouse body weight.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as in claim 11 for treating internal cancer wherein said effective amount of phycocyanin for humans is determined by assuming a mouse dosage of less than 0.05 gm/kg of mouse body weight.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 8 for treating internal cancer wherein said light from said means for emitting light comprises light having wavelengths in the range of 375-647 nm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as in claim 13 for treating internal cancer wherein said light from said means for emitting light comprises light having a wavelength selected from a group consisting of 375, 485-518, 600, 620 and 647 nm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 8 for treating internal cancer wherein said means for emitting light is a luminescent chemical placed in proximity to said tumor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 15 for treating internal cancer wherein said luminescent chemical is administered by being injected into said patient.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for treating skin cancer by destroying tumor cells located on the skin surface comprising the steps of: a. contacting said tumor cells with an effective amount of phycocyanin; b. irradiating said tumor cells with light from a means for emitting light; and c. administering said irradiation for a time effective to destroy said tumor cells.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for treating skin cancer by destroying tumor cells located on the skin surface comprising the steps of: a. contacting said tumor cells with an effective amount of phycocyanin; b. irradiating said tumor cells with light from a means for emitting light; and c. administering said irradiation for a time effective to destroy said tumor cells.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 17 for treating skin cancer wherein said light from said means for emitting light comprises light having wavelengths in the range of 375-647 nm.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as in claim 18 for treating skin cancer wherein said light from said means for emitting light comprises light having a wavelength selected from a group consisting of 375, 485-518, 600, 620 and 647 nm.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 17 for treating skin cancer wherein said means for emitting light is a laser.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 17 for treating skin cancer wherein said contact with tumor cells is accomplished by injecting phycocyanin subdermally.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 17 for treating skin cancer wherein said contact with tumor cells is accomplished by injecting phycocyanin directly into the tumor.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as in claim 17 for treating skin cancer wherein said effective amount of phycocyanin for humans is determined by assuming a mouse dosage of less than 0.25 gm/kg of mouse body weight.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 23 for treating skin cancer wherein said effective amount for humans is determined by assuming a mouse dosage of less than 0.05 gm/kg of mouse body weight.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-11-17 | 1996-05-18 | 1996-11-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-11-17 | 2000-05-18 | 2000-11-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-11-17 | 2004-05-18 | 2004-11-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |