Wavelength-specific cytotoxic agents

Claim 1

A method to detect, photosensitize, destroy or impair the functioning of target biological material which comprises contacting said target with an effective amount of a hydro-monobenzoporphyrin (Gp) having a light absorption maximum between 670-780 nm; wherein the Gp is selected from the group consisting of ##STR17## and mixtures thereof and the metalated and labeled forms thereof, wherein each R 1 and R 2 independently selected from the group consisting of carbalkoxy (2-6C), alkyl (1-6C) sulfonyl, Aryl (6-10C) sulfonyl, aryl (6-10C); cyano; and --CONR 5 CO-- wherein R 5 is aryl (6-10C) or alkyl (1-6C) each R 3 is independently carboxyalkyl (2-6C) or a salt, amide, ester or acylhydrazone thereof, or is alkyl (1-6C); and R 4 is CHCH 2 , CH 2 OR 4' , --CHO, --COOR 4 CH(OR 4' )CH 3 , CH(OR 4' )CH 2 OR 4' , --CH(SR 4' )CH 3 , --CH(NR 2 )CH 3 , --CH(CN)CH 3 , --CH(COOR 4' )CH 3 , --CH((OOCR 4' )CH 3 , --CH(halo)CH or --CH(halo)CH 2 (halo), wherein R 4' is H, alkyl (1-6C) optionally substituted with a hydrophilic substituent, or wherein R 4 is an organic noninterfering group of <12C resulting from direct or indirect derivatization of vinyl, or wherein R 4 consists of 1-3 tetrapyrrole-type nuclei of the formula --L--P wherein --L-- is selected from the group consisting of ##STR18## and P is selected from the group consisting of Gp which is of the formula 1-6 but lacking R 4 and conjugated through the position shown as occupied by R 4 to L, and a porphyrin of the formula: ##STR19## wherein each R is independently H or lower alkyl (1-4C); wherein two of the bonds shown as unoccupied on adjacent rings are joined to R 3 and one of the remaining bonds shown as unoccupied is joined to R 4 and the other to L; with the proviso that if R 4 is CHCH 2 , both R 3 cannot be carbalkoxyethyl; and irradiating said target with light absorbed by said Gp.

Claim 2

A method to detect, photosensitize, destroy or impair the functioning of target biological material which comprises contacting said target with an effective amount of a hydro-monobenzoporphyrin (Gp) having a light absorption maximum between 670-780 nm; wherein the Gp is selected from the group consisting of ##STR17## and mixtures thereof and the metalated and labeled forms thereof, wherein each R 1 and R 2 independently selected from the group consisting of carbalkoxy (2-6C), alkyl (1-6C) sulfonyl, Aryl (6-10C) sulfonyl, aryl (6-10C); cyano; and --CONR 5 CO-- wherein R 5 is aryl (6-10C) or alkyl (1-6C) each R 3 is independently carboxyalkyl (2-6C) or a salt, amide, ester or acylhydrazone thereof, or is alkyl (1-6C); and R 4 is CHCH 2 , CH 2 OR 4' , --CHO, --COOR 4 CH(OR 4' )CH 3 , CH(OR 4' )CH 2 OR 4' , --CH(SR 4' )CH 3 , --CH(NR 2 )CH 3 , --CH(CN)CH 3 , --CH(COOR 4' )CH 3 , --CH((OOCR 4' )CH 3 , --CH(halo)CH or --CH(halo)CH 2 (halo), wherein R 4' is H, alkyl (1-6C) optionally substituted with a hydrophilic substituent, or wherein R 4 is an organic noninterfering group of <12C resulting from direct or indirect derivatization of vinyl, or wherein R 4 consists of 1-3 tetrapyrrole-type nuclei of the formula --L--P wherein --L-- is selected from the group consisting of ##STR18## and P is selected from the group consisting of Gp which is of the formula 1-6 but lacking R 4 and conjugated through the position shown as occupied by R 4 to L, and a porphyrin of the formula: ##STR19## wherein each R is independently H or lower alkyl (1-4C); wherein two of the bonds shown as unoccupied on adjacent rings are joined to R 3 and one of the remaining bonds shown as unoccupied is joined to R 4 and the other to L; with the proviso that if R 4 is CHCH 2 , both R 3 cannot be carbalkoxyethyl; and irradiating said target with light absorbed by said Gp.

Claim 3

The method of claim I wherein each R 3 is --CH 2 CH 2 COOH or a salt, amide, ester or acylhydrazone thereof.