Psoralens for pathogen inactivation

Abstract

Psoralen compound compositions are synthesized which have primaryamino substitutions on the 3-, 4-, 5-, and 8-positions of the psoralen, which yet permit their binding to nucleic acid of pathogens. Reaction conditions that photoactivate these psoralens result in the inactivation of pathogens which contain nucleic acid. The compounds show similar activity in test systems to 4′ and 5′ derivatives of psoralen useful for inactivation of pathogens in blood products. In addition to the psoralen compositions, the invention contemplates such inactivating methods using the new psoralens.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method of treating a biological composition suspected of containing a pathogen, comprising, in the following order: 
 a) providing, in any order, i) a compound of the formula selected from the group consisting of                          I) a substituent A on the benzene ring is selected from the group consisting of: 
 —(CH 2 ) u —NH 2 ,  
 —(CH 2 ) w —J—(CH 2 ) z —NH 2 ,  
 —(CH 2 ) w —J—(CH 2 ) x —K—(CH 2 ) z —NH 2 , and  
 —(CH 2 ) w —J—(CH 2 ) x —K—(CH 2 ) y —L—(CH 2 ) z —NH 2 ;  
 wherein J, K, and L are independently selected from the group consisting of O and NH, in which u is a whole number from 1 to 10, w is a whole number from 1 to 5, x is a whole number from 2 to 5, y is a whole number from 2 to 5, and z is a whole number from 2 to 6; and  
   II) substituents B, R 1 , R 2 , R 4 , and R 5  on the benzene ring, 3-, 4-, 4′- and 5′-carbon atoms respectively, are independently selected from the group consisting of —H and —(CH 2 ) v CH 3 , where v is a whole number from 0 to 5; and all salts thereof; ii) a light source for photoactivating said compound; and iii) a biological composition suspected of containing a pathogen;    b) adding said compound to said biological composition; and    c) photoactivating said compound, so as to inactivate the pathogen, if present.    
     
     
         2 . The method of claims  1 , wherein said biological composition is a blood product.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said blood product comprises plasma.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said blood product comprises a plasma fraction.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said blood product comprises platelets.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said pathogen is selected from the group consisting of viruses and bacteria.