Compounds for the photodecontamination of pathogens in blood

#The present invention also provides methods of using new and known compounds to inactivate pathogens in health related products to be used in vivo and in vitro, and in particular, blood products.

#Although improved testing methods for hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have markedly reduced the incidence of transfusion associated diseases, other viral, bacterial, and protozoal agents are not routinely tested for, and remain a potential threat to transfusion safety. Schmunis, G. A., Transfusion 31:547-557 (1992). In addition, testing will not insure the safety of the blood supply against future unknown pathogens that may enter the donor population resulting in transfusion associated transmission before sensitive tests can be implemented.

#The recent introduction of a blood test for HCV will reduce transmission of this virus; however, it has a sensitivity of only 67% for detection of probable infectious blood units. HCV is responsible for 90% of transfusion associated hepatitis. It is estimated that, with the test in place, the risk of infection is 1 out of 3300 units transfused.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the device of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 1 along the lines of 2—2.

#FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 1 along the lines of 3—3.

#The present invention provides new psoralens and methods of synthesis of new psoralens having enhanced ability to inactivate pathogens in the presence of ultraviolet light, which is not linked to mutagenicity. The new psoralens are effective against a wide variety of pathogens. The present invention also provides methods of using new and known compounds to inactivate pathogens in health related products to be used in vivo and in vitro, and in particular, blood products.

#The inactivation methods of the present invention provide methods of inactivating pathogens, and in particular, viruses, in blood products prior to use in vitro or in vivo. In contrast with previous approaches, the method requires only short irradiation times and there is no need to limit the concentration of molecular oxygen.

#The description of the invention is divided into the following sections: I) Photoactivation Devices, II) Compound Synthesis, III) Binding of Compounds to Nucleic Acid, IV) Inactivation of Contaminants, and V) Preservation of Biochemical Properties of Material Treated.