Sirius Medicine, LLC

Other

Michael D Weil

Webster C Cash, Jr

Kevin N Morris

Rainer M Malzbender

Targeting agents are provided that have an affinity for aberrant cells and tissues. These agents are comprised of chelates, ligands, and/or particles combined with high atomic weight elements so that treatment with ionizing electromagnetic radiation (X-rays, or Gamma rays) results in a higher dose to aberrant cells and tissues than other cells and tissues of a host. The invention further provide methods to enhance the tumor to normal tissue damage ratio by concentrating agents with high atomic number elements to the site of the tumor prior to administering radiotherapy. The result is greater therapeutic efficacy with fewer side effects. These compounds also permit diagnostic uses in combination with the therapeutic use.

Targeting agents for enhancing radiation therapy

The present invention relates to the field of medical imaging and therapy of lesions that are detrimental to the body. The system is capable of both imaging and treatment with the same kilovoltage radiation source. Dual-use collimators produce a wide beam, which is not a pencil beam or a fan beam, to image and treat a target that has an enhanced radiation cross-section after taking up contrast agent containing a high-Z element. This results in increased radiation dose in the lesion. Furthermore, the significant drop in intensity of a low-energy radiation beam traveling through tissue is surmounted by continually aiming the beam at the target while moving it around the patient. Wide detectors opposing the radiation source permit the imaging and measurement of contrast in the target. More specifically this invention relates to a system, which optimizes delivery of kilovoltage x-rays to a lesion containing contrast agents in higher concentration than the surrounding normal tissues. Thereby subsequent delivery of radiation becomes cytotoxic upon interaction with the contrast.

Dual-use radiation system

Contrast agents developed specifically for x-ray diagnostics provide dose-enhanced radiotherapy and radiosurgery. The presence of heavy elements, for example, gold or iron, from these contrast agents, even small quantities, leads to a major dose increase in target tissue when combined with in vivo calibration of the amount of contrast agent. The technique can also be used in combination with other techniques, such as focused x-rays, to achieve further enhancement of therapeutic ratio. The technique is enhanced by employing oil-based contrast agents, which will remain in the target much longer than conventional agents. Through optimization of the equipment it is possible to achieve very large ratios of dose in target to dose in healthy tissue.

Pharmaceutically enhanced low-energy radiosurgery

Contrast agents developed specifically for x-ray diagnostics provide dose-enhanced radiotherapy and radiosurgery. The presence of heavy elements from these contrast agents, even small quantities, leads to a major dose increase in target tissue. When combined with in vivo calibration of the amount of contrast agent, the procedure is quick, accurate, and safe. The technique can also be used in combination with other techniques, such as focused x-rays, to achieve further enhancement of therapeutic ratio. Through optimization of the equipment it is possible to achieve very large ratios of dose in target to dose in healthy tissue, up to 10:1.

Contrast agents developed specifically for x-ray diagnostics provide dose-enhanced radiotherapy and radiosurgery. The presence of heavy elements from these contrast agents, even small quantities, leads to a major dose increase in target tissue. When combined with in vivo calibration of the amount of contrast agent, the procedure is quick, accurate, and safe. The technique can also be used in combination with other techniques, such as focused x-rays, to achieve further enhancement of therapeutic ratio. Through optimization of the equipment it is possible to achieve very large ratios of dose in target to dose in healthy tissue up to 10:1.

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Fort Collins, CO, United States of America

Michael D Weil