Modulight Spotlights: LASER-SHARP RESEARCH – September 2022 Mesothelioma is a form of pleural cancer originating primarily from asbestos exposure. There is currently no curative treatment available for this cancer and its prevalence is on the rise, hence new treatment options are urgently needed. To answer this need, Professors Timothy C. Zhu and Keith Cengel with their teams at University of Pennsylvania have for several years studied intraoperative photodynamic therapy, where photosensitive drug is locally activated with laser light, as a potential new adjunctive treatment for this aggressive disease. Their most recent Continue reading →

Customer case Faculty of Pharmacy at University of Helsinki is specialized in top-level pharmaceutical research. Multidisciplinary research fields include clinical pharmacy, experimental drugs, nanomedicines, and pharmaceutical drug design. Drug delivery unit led by Professor Arto Urtti focuses on design and testing of advanced drug delivery systems especially for ocular indications. Light is studied as an important tool to control the drug delivery to the target tissues. Modulight products: ML6600 (810 nm) + Modulight in vitro illumination kit (MLAKIT) Professor Arto Urtti   Senior Pharmaceutical Researcher Tatu Continue reading →

Modulight Spotlights: LASER-SHARP RESEARCH – August 2022 Impressive research on head & neck cancer was published by Obaid Lab for molecular imaging and optical nanotherapeutics, at University of Texas, Dallas. The group used Modulight’s ML6500 for a subtherapeutic modulation of tumor microenvironment of H&N. This significantly improved delivery of molecular imaging agent to the tumors as well as improved diagnostic accuracy in detecting tumor tissue by fluorescence. Since incomplete resection and consequent recurrences are common problem with current H&N cancer treatment, this discovery answers unmet Continue reading →

Modulight Spotlights: LASER-SHARP RESEARCH – July 2022 Modulight congratulates Dr. Makoto Mitsunaga et al. Jikei University School of Medicine for publishing their promising results in Communications Biology journal. The team developed a next-generation light-based approach to tackle pathogens, called photoimmuno-antimicrobial strategy (PIAS). This technology was shown to eliminate a broad spectrum of different classes of pathogens, such as viruses, fungi, and bacteria. Unlike antibiotics, PIAS was also effective against drug-resistant pathogens and didn’t damage natural, beneficial microbiota in the host’s tissues. As COVID-19 pandemic and Continue reading →

Introduction Flow cytometry is a widely used method in biomedical research and increasingly also in clinical diagnostics. It is a powerful and rapid technique to analyze physical and chemical properties of single cells or particles as they are suspended in liquid and pass in a narrow line across laser beams. Fluorescence together with scattered laser light is then filtered, detected, and analyzed on the other side of the sample. In addition to analysis, many flow cytometers can also sort and purify cell populations of interest Continue reading →

Modulight Spotlights: LASER-SHARP RESEARCH – February 2022 Photocure’s blue light cystoscopy is a routine procedure in the management of bladder cancer as it results in better tumor visualization and removal. However, this study found that the positive effects of blue light cystoscopy could extend beyond visualization and result in the induction of systemic antitumor immunity, which can be further boosted with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Modulight nominated this study because bladder cancer is highly recurring and progressive disease with more than 200,000 deaths worldwide annually. Thus, Continue reading →

Customer case PCI Biotech is a biopharmaceutical company located in Norway. They are developing a novel light-based technology called photochemical internalization (PCI) that has potential to enhance delivery and efficacy of many types of therapies, including certain chemotherapies, peptide vaccines, and nucleic acid therapies. It can also decrease side effects due to improved spatiotemporal control of the treatment. The technology is currently in a pivotal clinical study for the treatment of inoperable bile duct cancer where PCI with gemcitabine is combined with standard gemcitabine/cisplatin chemotherapy. Continue reading →

Customer case University of Rochester belongs among the nation’s top research universities. Research at the Baran lab focuses on anti-microbial PDT and optical image processing. The aim is to develop methods for utilizing quantitative information from CT, MR and PET imaging for PDT treatment planning as well as in the search of new biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Modulight products: ML7710 (630 & 665 nm) Link to the study: Timothy M. Baran (Ph.D., PI) Laser use: Ongoing clinical Phase 1 safety & feasibility study for methylene Continue reading →