Tennessee Patent of the Month – September 2024
Provectus Biopharmaceuticals has developed an innovative approach for treating leukemia by using an orally-administered form of rose bengal disodium, a halogenated xanthene compound, which has demonstrated promising leukemia-fighting capabilities. Traditionally used in topical or intravenous applications, rose bengal’s oral delivery to target diffuse leukemia cells across the bloodstream and bone marrow marks a significant departure from conventional methods, which rely on systemic chemotherapy or antibody therapies with more extensive side effects.
This method utilizes rose bengal disodium, a known cytotoxic agent, which has been re-envisioned to combat leukemia cells upon ingestion. By coating rose bengal on sugar prills or encapsulating it in a tablet form, Provectus’s formulation allows the compound to be delivered steadily in the body. Unexpectedly, this compound has shown an ability to reach circulating leukemia cells even after typical first-pass metabolic losses, suggesting a new potential for oral administration in blood cancers.
The flexibility of Provectus’s approach allows it to be used alone or in combination with other leukemia treatments, such as small molecule drugs or immune checkpoint inhibitors. This combined approach could enhance overall treatment effectiveness, as rose bengal works synergistically with other agents to increase leukemia cell sensitivity. This synergy opens pathways for more comprehensive treatment options for patients with different types of leukemia, from acute lymphoblastic leukemia to chronic myeloid leukemia.
Provectus’s invention signifies a breakthrough in the application of rose bengal and marks a shift toward more accessible, potentially less invasive cancer treatments. By making oral leukemia treatment a viable option, they are pioneering a novel therapy that could offer leukemia patients new hope with fewer of the debilitating side effects often associated with traditional treatments.
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