Phthalocyanine probes and uses thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for destroying target cells in a patient using photodynamic therapy. In particular, the present invention provides a photosensitizing agent based on a small molecular weight (<50 kDa) protein or peptide or a small molecule that is conjugated to a phthalocyanine dye, such as IRDye® 700DX.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A therapeutically effective composition comprising IRDye700DX conjugated to a probe, which specifically binds to a cancer cell, wherein the probe has a molecular weight of less than about 10 kDa and is a member selected from the group consisting of a ligand, a peptide and a small molecule. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the probe is a ligand. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the probe is a peptide. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the probe is a small molecule. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the ligand is EGF. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein the peptide is selected from the group consisting of YC-27, cRGDfK, vasoactive intestinal peptide, gastrin-releasing peptide, neurotensin, AH111585, FPPRGD2, PK11195, SPARC, bombesin, neurotensin, substance P, somatostatin, cholecystokinin, glucagon-like peptide-1, neuropeptide Y, octreotide, DOTA-TOC, DOTA-TATE, exendin-4, analogs thereof, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein the peptide is selected from the group consisting of soricidin, SOR-13 and SOR-C27. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein the small molecule is selected from the group consisting of a VEGFR inhibitor, a TNFR1 inhibitor, a growth factor receptor inhibitor and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein the small molecule VEGFR inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of pazopanib, semaxanib, axitinib, cabozantinib, aflibercept, brivanib, tivozanib, ramucirumab, motesanib, vatalanib, cediranib, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the probe is a radionuclide. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein the probe is a member selected from the group consisting of DTPA-octreotide, [Gluc-Lys]-TOCA, galacto-RGD, AH111585, RGD-K5, FPPRGD2, RP-527, BZH 3 , [DTPA-Lys 40 ]-Exendin-4, and NT-X1. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the probe is conjugated to a fluorophore. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein the peptide is chlorotoxin.