Phosphor-containing drug activator, suspension thereof, system containing the suspension, and methods for use

Abstract

A method for treating a disease in a subject in need thereof is provided involving infusing 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) and a phosphor-containing drug activator into a diseased site in the subject; and delivering a dose of x-rays to the subject for production of the ultraviolet and visible light inside the subject to activate the photoactivatable drug and induce a persistent therapeutic response, the dose including a pulsed sequence of x-rays delivering from 0.5-2 Gy to the tumor, wherein the phosphor-containing drug activator includes an admixture of two or more phosphors capable of emitting ultraviolet and visible light upon interaction with x-rays; the two or more phosphors including Zn2SiO4:Mn2+ and (3Ca3(PO4)2Ca(F, Cl)2:Sb3+, Mn2+) at a ratio (Zn2SiO4:Mn2+):(3Ca3(PO4)2Ca(F, Cl)2:Sb3+, Mn2+)) of from 1:10 to 10:1; wherein each of the two or more phosphors have at least one coating selected from an ethyl cellulose coating or a diamond-like carbon coating.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.