Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
Researchers at Roswell Park also pioneered the use of Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) in treatment of various forms of cancer. PDT involves using light to activate a light sensitive drug to destroy tumor cells. Patients are given intravenous injections of a chemical that accumulates in cancer cells and becomes lethal to the cells when activated by light, but leaves most normal tissue unharmed. PDT is finding its niche in treating certain localized tumors that are known not to respond to chemotherapy and are difficult to treat surgically. PDT is also a potential therapy for patients too old or too frail to tolerate major surgery or chemotherapy. HRI holds patents on PDT and compounds used in PDT. One such compound, Photophrin (licensed to Quadra Logic Technologies), has been approved for use in Canada for recurrent bladder cancer, and has received orphan drug status in the U.S. Photophrin is currently under evaluation in Canada, the United States, Europe and Japan for cancers of the lung, stomach, cervix and esophagus.

Pox Virus Vectors
Wadsworth Center investigators pioneered work in vaccinia virus as a vector to express selected genes from pathogenic organisms - thereby evoking immunity to those organisms. Through a licene with Aventis, one of the world's largest vaccine manufacturers, vaccina provides the basis for an orally active rabies vaccine which is being used successfully in wild animals throughout the United States and Europe. Pox virus vectors are also being explored in the treatment of cancer and gene therapy.

Hirulogs
Collaboration between a Wadsworth Center investigator and a scientist at Biogen, Inc., Cambridge, Mass., resulted in the discovery of novel inhibitors of thrombin (anti-coagulants) called hirulogs. FDA approval has been received for Angiomax (brand name) and sales have begun in the U.S.