Psoralen: A Narrative Review of Current and Future Therapeutic Uses - Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology

Psoralen is a family of naturally occurring photoactive compounds found in plants that acquire potential cytotoxicity when activated by specific frequencies of electromagnetic waves. Psoralens penetrate the phospholipid cellular membranes and insert themselves between the pyrimidines of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Psoralens are initially biologically inert and acquire photoreactivity when exposed to certain classes of electromagnetic radiation, such as ultraviolet light. Once activated, psoralens form mono- and di-adducts with DNA, leading to marked cell apoptosis. This apoptotic effect is more pronounced in tumor cells due to their high rate of cell division. Moreover, photoactivated psoralen can inhibit tyrosine kinase signaling and influence the immunogenic properties of cells. Thus, the cytotoxicity of photoactivated psoralen holds promising clinical applications from its immunogenic properties to potential anti-cancer treatments. This narrative review aims to provide an overview of the current understanding and research on psoralen and to explore its potential future pharmacotherapeutic benefits in specific diseases.

Immunolight, LLC Announces Expansion of its Phase 1 Trial to All Solid Tumor Types

Immunolight LLC, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical firm leading the way in advancing technologies to transform cancer treatment, is excited to announce that its X-PACT 101 Phase 1 Clinical Trial is now open to patients with all Solid Tumors types. The phase 1 study of its X-Ray Activation of Psoralen Cancer Treatment system (X-PACT) in Breast, Melanoma, Sarcoma, and Head and Neck Cancers has now been expanded to include patients with any type of Solid Tumor. Reach out to Immunolight on its social media (LinkedIn, Facebook; and Instagram), or through the Immunolight website immunolight.com for more information about how to navigate participation in this clinical trial!

The Immunolight X-PACT system uses a combination of 8-MOP a plant derived molecule (also known as 8-methoxypsoralen or methoxsalen) and the innovative Immunolight energy converting (EC) materials that convert deeply penetrating energies, such as low dose X-ray, into UV light inside solid tumors in the body. The (EC) materials and 8-MOP are co-injected into a solid tumor, and low dose x-ray energy is applied at the site making it a targeted treatment. The EC materials convert the applied x-ray into UV light which activates the 8-MOP inside the solid tumor to kill cancerous cells.

Specific details about the updated Phase 1 trial eligibility criteria and trial locations can be found on the ClinicalTrials.gov website: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04389281

“This expansion of our Phase I trial to include all solid tumor types will open up our trial to many more patients, which has been our top priority from the beginning,” Immunolight founder and CEO Rick Bourke said.

President Harold Walder commented, "We are thrilled to open up our Phase I trial to a greater patient population, and use our paradigm changing cancer treatment to treat solid tumors of any origin."

Recruiting Patients for Phase 1 Trial of the X-PACT System in Certain Solid Tumors

Immunolight LLC, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical firm leading the way in advancing technologies to transform cancer treatment, announced today it is now recruiting patients for a Phase 1 study of its X-PACT Cancer Treatment system in advanced in Breast, Melanoma, Sarcoma, and Head and Neck Cancers.

The heart of the X-PACT system is 8-MOP (also known as 8-methoxypsoralen or methoxsalen) which has been successfully used for decades in the treatment of autoimmune disease, skin disorders and certain skin and blood cancers. However, since UV light, which is needed to activate 8-MOP, cannot penetrate through tissue, it has not been possible to use 8-MOP to treat solid tumors.  Immunolight's X-PACT system solves this problem.  Innovative Immunolight phosphor materials convert tissue penetrating energies, such as low dose X-ray, into UV light inside solid tumors in the body.  These energy converting phosphors are injected along with 8-MOP into the solid tumor, and low dose x-ray energy is applied at the site.  The phosphors convert the x-ray into UV light which activates the 8-MOP inside the solid tumor to kill the cancer.

More details about the Phase 1 trial and eligibility criteria can be found at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04389281. 

Immunolight founder and CEO Rick Bourke commented, "We are thrilled to start patient recruitment and begin this Phase 1 trial, bringing our innovative technology to fruition in treating cancer and starting what we believe is a new era in cancer treatment."

This milestone is the culmination of over 13 years of intense research and development in partnership with Duke University and Duke Medical Center where a team of over 30 scientists, physicians and engineers has been active.  "From day one, our highest priority has been to translate this amazing science into a paradigm changing cancer treatment in patients," President Harold Walder said. "We are so excited to take this next step to get the treatment into the clinic."

Immunolight, LLC Receives 200th Worldwide Patent

Immunolight, LLC, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical firm leading the way in advancing technologies to transform cancer treatment, announced today it has been granted its 200th worldwide and 75th US patent in a wide-ranging patent portfolio. The Immunolight patent estate continues to expand, with patents covering both the medical and non-medical commercial end-uses of the breakthrough Immunolight energy conversion technology. An additional 117 worldwide patent applications are pending.

"Extensively patenting our innovative technology has been a high priority to ensure market exclusivity in key high value markets," says Immunolight founder and CEO Rick Bourke.

The current portfolio contains over 70 issued or allowed worldwide patents having claims specifically related to medical treatments. A predominant focus of these medical patents is the new paradigm for the treatment of cancer and other cell proliferation disorders made possible by the unique Immunolight energy conversion technology. Immunolight has recently received FDA clearance to enter phase 1 study in patients with breast, melanoma, sarcoma and head and neck cancers.

The non-medical commercial application cases have a broad scope of various technologies, with a predominant focus on the curing of adhesives and polymers using Immunolight's energy conversion technology, thus providing the ability to cure at room temperature without requiring line-of-sight between an activation energy source and the site being cured. Also covered are many other commercial end-uses, including, but not limited to, solar cells, the generation or enhancement of color, and electronics/semiconductors.

"With many exciting discoveries on Immunolight's horizon, it is expected that the portfolio will continue to grow for years to come, ultimately providing a rich multi-layered territory of exclusive rights in both medical and commercial applications of the innovative Immunolight energy conversion technology," says Immunolight President Harold Walder.

FDA Clearance to Initiate Phase 1 Trial of the X-PACT System in Solid Tumors

DURHAM, North Carolina, August 31, 2021 — Immunolight, LLC, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical firm leading the way in advancing technologies to transform cancer treatment, announced today it has received FDA clearance to enter phase 1 study in patients with breast, melanoma, sarcoma and head and neck cancers.

The heart of the X-PACT (X-ray Psoralen Activated Cancer Treatment) system is psoralen, a naturally occurring compound which has been successfully used for decades in the treatment of autoimmune disease, skin disorders and certain skin and blood cancers. It has not, however, been able to be used to treat solid tumors due to the fact that UV light, which is needed to activate psoralen, cannot penetrate through tissue to reach the solid tumors. Immunolight has now made that possible.

Immunolight innovated materials that convert tissue penetrating energies, such as low dose X-ray, into UV light inside a solid tumor in the body. The energy converting materials are injected along with psoralen inside the solid tumor, then low dose x-ray energy is applied at the site. The energy converting materials convert the x-ray into UV light which activates the psoralen inside the solid tumor to kill the cancer.

“Transitioning into a clinical stage company represents a significant milestone in the company’s history and the potential beginning of a new era in cancer treatment,” says Immunolight founder and CEO, Rick Bourke.

Currently in its 15th year of multidisciplinary research and development activities, Immunolight developed X-PACT in partnership with Duke University and Duke Medical Center with a team of over 30 scientists, physicians and engineers. “Our highest priority has been to translate this amazing science into a paradigm-changing cancer treatment in patients,” Immunolight President Harold Walder says. “We are so excited to get this treatment into the clinic and potentially change patient’s lives and transform their treatment outcomes.”

X-PACT Paper Wins SEAAPM 2017 Best Paper Award

Durham, North Carolina, April 4, 2017 – The South Eastern Chapter of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (SEAAPM) has chosen Immunolight’s paper, X-Ray Psoralen Activated Cancer Therapy to receive it’s 2017’s best paper award.

Immunolight LLC is a biomedical firm leading the way in technologies that transform energy sources. Immunolight technology has the potential to create a dramatic shift in the treatment of cancer. It wasn’t that long ago that the treatments were limited to three options that included chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.

Although there have been improvements in all three areas, cancer, which has devastating effects emotionally, physically and financially, continues to be one of the most grueling diseases that affect us today.

X-PACT, X-ray Psoralen Activated Cancer Therapy is a new approach in the treatment of solid cancer tumors that utilizes psoralen, a potent, natural compound found in foods like celery, figs and citrus fruits. When exposed to UV light, psoralen causes cell death in cancer cells with the potential to induce an immune response against cancer from inside the tumor.

With a team of over thirty scientists, physicians and engineers, led by President Harold Walder, Immunolight is creating a paradigm shift in the treatment of cancer.

Best Paper Award

SEAAPM is a chapter of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), which is the leading organization in medical physics. Founded in 1958, the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) promotes the application of physics to medicine and biology, to encourage interest and training as well as to prepare and distribute technical information in medical physics and related fields.

The SEAAPM region includes, North and South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and Tennessee, with twenty-one regional AAPM Chapters.

The SEAAPM best paper award is open to papers authored by active SEAAPM members.
Nominations are put forth by active chapter members and then voted on by an awards committee.

“Publishing the results of our development activities is an important part of the technology development. We are honored to be presented with the SEAAPM 2017 Best Paper Award.” Immunolight President Harold Walder said.

Crain’s Detroit Business News Names Immunolight LLC Most Innovative Company of 2016

Immunolight LLC, a biomedical firm leading the way in technologies that transform energy sources such as low dose X-ray and convert them into energy that is capable of activating a natural compound called psoralen when exposed to UV light, has been named Crain’s Detroit Business News most innovative company for 2016.

X-Ray Psoralen Activated Cancer Therapy

This work investigates X-PACT (X-ray Psoralen Activated Cancer Therapy): a new approach for the treatment of solid cancer. X-PACT utilizes psoralen, a potent anti-cancer therapeutic with current application to proliferative disease and extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) of cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma. An immunogenic role for light-activated psoralen has been reported, contributing to long-term clinical responses.

Duke Doctors, NCSU Team Up Against Cancer

Eliza, a 13-year old Labrador retriever from Charlotte, is a four-legged miracle. Almost a year and a half ago, her cancer was essentially cured during a clinical trial at N.C. State University’s vet school. Now Eliza and other canine patients might teach researchers something about cancer in their two-legged friends. The Duke Cancer Institute and NCSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine have formed the Consortium for Canine Comparative Oncology, or C3O for short.

Now Recruiting: Immunolight Therapy for Canine Cancer

With the support of the Immunolight team, doctors in the department of Radiation Oncology at NC State’s College of Veterinary medicine are working with researchers at Duke University’s School of Medicine to develop Immunolight therapy. This innovative therapy offers a promising new approach to treating cancer in dogs.

Cancer SOS Radio: Joni Aldrich Interviews Harold Walder

Co-hosts Joni Aldrich and Dr. Peter Hofland interview Harold Walder, President of Immunolight, on the groundbreaking cancer research and treatment that he and a team of scientists at Duke University Medical Center have been conducting over the past seven years.

Leland Man Behind Discovery to Aid Breast Cancer Fight

Leland resident Harold Walder and his Durham-based research company, Immunolight, have developed a groundbreaking approach to treating cancer. Walder and a team of scientists at Duke University Medical Center have demonstrated that a compound called psorlen – which occurs naturally in broccoli and figs – was shown to shrink breast cancer tumors in mice when activated by ultraviolet (UV) light.

New Psoralen Mechanism of Action Discovered That Attacks Breast Cancer Cells

Durham, NC – Immunolight LLC, an emerging leader in the development of a breakthrough platform technology leveraging the latest advances in energy transfer, has announced research about a new mode of action utilizing psoralen, a naturally occurring compound found in broccoli and figs, that may shed new light on the fight against cancer.

PLOS ONE: Photo-Activated Psoralen Binds the ErbB2 Catalytic Kinase Domain, Blocking ErbB2 Signaling and Triggering Tumor Cell Apoptosis

Photo-activation of psoralen with UVA irradiation, referred to as PUVA, is used in the treatment of proliferative skin disorders. The anti-proliferative effects of PUVA have been largely attributed to psoralen intercalation of DNA, which upon UV treatment, triggers the formation of interstrand DNA crosslinks (ICL) that inhibit transcription and DNA replication. Here, we show that PUVA exerts antitumor effects in models of human breast cancer that overexpress the ErbB2 receptor tyrosine kinase oncogene, through a new mechanism.

An Emerging Technology May Allow Adhesives in Opaque Substrates to be Cured by UV or Visible Light

Adhesives and coatings cured by ultraviolet (UV) or visible light have become valuable tools in modern-day assembly operations, particularly in high-technology industries such as electronics and medical devices. Most UV adhesives are based on free radical polymerization systems with acrylate or methacrylate monomers, although other systems such as cationically cured cycloaliphatic epoxies, vinyl ethers, and oxetanes are known.

Activity of Psoralen-Functionalized Nanoscintillators against Cancer Cells upon X-ray Excitation

We report development of a nanoparticle-based, X-ray-activated anticancer “nanodrug” composed of yttrium oxide (Y2O3) nanoscintillators, a fragment of the HIV-1 TAT peptide, and psoralen. In this formulation, X-ray radiation is absorbed by the Y2O3 nanoscintillators, which then emit UVA light. Absorption of UVA photons by nanoparticle-tethered psoralen has the potential to cross-link adenine and thymine residues in DNA. UVA-induced cross-linking by free psoralen upon activation with UVA light has previously been shown to cause apoptosis in vitro and an immunogenic response in vivo.