5-ala for detection of brain tumors

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to methods for detecting brain tumors and assessing the recurrence of such tumors by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) and detecting the conversion of 5-ALA to protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) associated with brain-derived microparticles.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A method for detecting a solid tumor, wherein the method comprises
 administering a cancer drug which preferentially localizes to a solid tumor to a subject, wherein the drug is converted into metabolites,   isolating microvesicles from a biological sample from the subject; and   detecting the level of conversion of the cancer drug to a metabolite or level of a converting enzyme associated with microvesicles shed from the solid tumor in a biological sample from the subject, thereby detecting the solid tumor.   
     
     
         23 . A method for measuring the level of a cancer drug targeted to a solid tumor, wherein the method comprises
 administering a cancer drug which preferentially localizes to a solid tumor to a subject, wherein the drug is converted into metabolites,   isolating microvesicles from a biological sample from the subject; and   detecting the level of a metabolite associated with microvesicles shed from the solid tumor in a biological sample from the subject, and   determining the level of the cancer drug or a converting enzyme in the solid tumor based on the level of metabolites.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the solid tumor is selected from the group consisting of ovarian, breast, pancreatic, prostate, lung, colorectal, renal and bladder tumor. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the solid tumor is selected from the group consisting of ovarian, breast, pancreatic, prostate, lung, colorectal, renal and bladder tumor. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the cancer drug which preferentially localizes to a solid tumor is capable of being used as an adjunct to fluorescent-guided surgery. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the biological sample is whole blood. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the biological sample is plasma or serum. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the biological sample is selected from the group consisting of urine, tears, milk, lymph fluid, synovial fluid, bronchoalveolar lavage, amniotic fluid, saliva, ocular fluid, ascites, and respiratory droplets. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the cancer drug which preferentially localizes to a solid tumor is capable of being used as an adjunct to fluorescent-guided surgery. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the biological sample is whole blood. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the biological sample is plasma or serum. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the biological sample is selected from the group consisting of urine, tears, milk, lymph fluid, synovial fluid, bronchoalveolar lavage, amniotic fluid, saliva, ocular fluid, ascites, and respiratory droplets.