Method for treating neovascularization

Abstract

The present invention describes an improved photodynamic treatment to treat subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV).

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for treating unwanted neovasculature in a subject, comprising; 
 (a) administering an effective amount of an anti-angiogenic agent to the subject;    (b) administering an effective amount of a photosensitive agent to the subject; and    (c) irradiating the unwanted neovasculature with light having a wavelength absorbable by the photosensitive agent.    
     
     
         2 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein the anti-angiogenic agent is administered between about 0 and about 4 weeks before the administration of the photosensitive agent.  
     
     
         3 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein the anti-angiogenic agent and the photosensitive agent are administered simultaneously.  
     
     
         4 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein the anti-angiogenic agent is administered between about 0 and about 4 weeks after the administration of the photosensitive agent.  
     
     
         5 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein the anti-angiogenic agent is administered between about 0 and about 4 weeks before the administration of the photosensitive agent and between about 0 and about 4 weeks after the administration of the photosensitive agent.  
     
     
         6 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein the anti-angiogenic agent is selected from the group consisting of inhibitors of protein kinase C, antagonists of growth hormone, antagonists of IGF-1, antagonists of vascular endothelial growth factor, inhibitors of cyclooxygenase II, antagonists of angiotensin II, antagonists of NF-kappa B, and phospholipase A2 antagonists.  
     
     
         7 . The method of    claim 6   , wherein the anti-angiogenic agent is selected from the group consisting of inhibitors of protein kinase C and antagonists of vascular endothelial growth factor.  
     
     
         8 . The method of    claim 7   , wherein the anti-angiogenic agent is an inhibitor of protein kinase C.  
     
     
         9 . The method of    claim 7   , wherein the anti-angiogenic agent is selected from the group consisting of N-benzoyl-staurosporine, CGP 79787, and octreotide.  
     
     
         10 . The method of    claim 9   , wherein the anti-angiogenic agent is N-benzoyl-staurosporine.  
     
     
         11 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein the photosensitive agent is selected from the group consisting of a porphyrin and a purpurin.  
     
     
         12 . The method of    claim 11   , wherein the photosensitive agent is benzoporphyrin derivative monacid ring A.  
     
     
         13 . The method of    claim 2   , wherein multiple administrations of anti-angiogenic agent are performed prior to the administration of the photosensitive agent.  
     
     
         14 . The method of    claim 4   , wherein multiple administrations of anti-angiogenic agent are performed after the administration of the photosensitive agent.  
     
     
         15 . The method of    claim 5   , wherein multiple administrations of anti-angiogenic agent are performed prior to the administration of the photosensitive agent and wherein multiple administrations of anti-angiogenic agent are performed after the administration of the photosensitive agent.  
     
     
         16 . A kit comprising at least one anti-angiogenic agent and at least one photosensitive agent.  
     
     
         17 . The kit of    claim 17   , wherein the photosensitive agent is benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid ring A.  
     
     
         18 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein the subject is suffering from choroidal neovascularization.  
     
     
         19 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein the subject is suffering from retinal neovascularization.