Cytoluminescent Therapy, or CLT, utilizes a chemical called a photosensitizer that is able to absorb energy from light and use this energy to fuel chemical reactions. CLT exploits a unique property of cancer cells: unlike healthy cells, these abnormal cells are unable to rid themselves of this photosensitizer. CLT is an advanced form of Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), which has had limited use in cancer treatment since the 1980's.

The success of PDT is largely determined by the properties of the photosensitizing agent. Photofrin, the first and only FDA approved photosensetizing agent for cancer, has several flaws. Since normal cells also absorb Photofrin, they too can be damaged by the treatment. Also, Photofrin can remain in the skin and other tissues for as long as a month, and patients must avoid sun exposure during this period or severe sunburn will result.

Photofrin's biggest flaw is that it is a relatively weak generator of free radicals, which are key to destroying cancer cells. Furthermore, it absorbs light of a relatively short wavelength that cannot penetrate deep-seated tumors. Therefore, PDT with Photofrin is an invasive procedure that requires the insertion of fiber optic probes into the body where tumors are present. This greatly limits the types of cancer and number of tumors that can be treated.

The photosensitizer used in CLT cannot fight cancer on it's own. However, when this agent is administered to cancer patients who are then exposed to light of a certain wavelength, it creates tiny bombs inside of cancer cells. The photosensitizer absorbs the lights energy and generates massive quantities of free radicals that are highly destructive to DNA, cell membranes, and other cellular structures. As cancer cells take hit after hit from free radicals, they lose their ability to function and begin to die. Because normal cells do not accumulate much of this photosensitizing agent, they are not harmed by this therapy.

An agent used at an innovative cancer clinic in Ireland, Photoflora, differs in key ways from Photofrin and other photosensitizers, many of which are "red" agents derived from blood. Photoflora is a "green" agent, a liquid extract of marine algae called Spirulina plantensis. It is highly selective for cancer cells: for every molecule that accumulate in normal cells, 36 molecules accumulate in cancer cells. Also, it is rapidly eliminated from the body - only 4 percent remains after 24 hours and it is completely cleared within a few days.

Most important for the eradication of cancer, Photoflora is hundreds of times more efficient at generating free radicals than other photosensitizing agents. Photoflora also absorbs light of a relatively long wavelength, so deep tumors can be treated without the need for invasive procedures and fiber optic probes.

For more information about CLT and the clinics providing this therapy, please visit www.clinicsofexcellence.com
or call (800) 807-8827 or (603) 645-4600.