Patent ID: 7125542
Filing Date: 2006-10-24
Classification: A61K,A61N,A61P

Abstract:
1. A method of enhancing closure of unwanted choroidal neovasculature comprising endothelial cells in a mammal, the method comprising the steps of: (a) administering to the mammal an anti-angiogenesis factor in an amount sufficient to permit an effective amount to localize in the choroidal neovasculature, wherein the anti-angiogenesis factor is selected from the group consisting of angiostatin and an antibody that binds preferentially to vascular endothelial growth factor; (b) administering to the mammal after step (a) an amount of a tetrapyrrole derivative photosensitizer sufficient to permit an effective amount to localize in the choroidal neovasculature, wherein the photosensitizer is selected from the group consisting of lutetium texaphyrin and benzoporphyrin derivative; and (c) irradiating the choroidal neovasculature with laser light such that the light is absorbed by the photosensitizer so as to damage endothelial cells and occlude the choroidal neovasculature, wherein the occlusion caused by step (a) is synergistic with the occlusion caused by steps (b) and (c) thereby enhancing closure of the unwanted choroidal neovasculature.