• Researches, development and production make a high-qualified experts (Ph.D., MBA);

• Joint ventures, enterprises, companies organize and promote cooperative business;

Method of photodynamic therapy ( PDT) for treatment of malignant tumors is widely used in many countries of the world in combination with the existing traditional methods of therapy. ( Russo A. et al. Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology, 1989). Medical drugs prepared on the basis of hematoporphyrin derivatives, as photosensitizers for PDT constitute the only class of compounds licensed for clinical practice. PDT method has given positive results in treating cutaneous malignancies, head and neck cancers, skin metastasis of mammary cancers.

Development of a new generation of photosensitizers is considered to be a key factor for further successful clinical application of photodynamic therapy. These photosensitizers exhibit strong light absorption in the range of " phototherapeutic window" - 600 to 1,000 nm, the wavelength where biological tissues show low light diffraction and where there is practically no light absorption by the endogenous biomolecules, such as hemoglobin, melanin and water. This provides deep penetration of light in tissues and allows application of PDT method for therapy of not only surface but also deep - located tumors.

Among the important demands to be met by the new generation of photosensitizers is their ability for selective accumulation in tumor cells at low delayed skin sensitivity, minimal normal tissue damage, minimal dark toxicity and quick withdrawal from normal tissues to avoid the side effects caused by prolong phototoxicity.

The second generation of photosensitizers includes both - the compounds of porphyrin row, such as : benzoporphyrins, chlorins, purpurins, etc., and the compounds of nonporphyrin row, such as anthraquinones, acridines, phenoxazines, cyanines, etc., (Diwu Z., Lown JW. Pharmac Ther., 63 : 1-35, 1994).

At the result of several years studies carried jointly by the scientists of the Research Institute of Oncology and Medical Radiology of the Health Ministry of the Republic of Belarus, the Institute of Physics of the Academy of Sciences of RB and the company "DIALEC", there was developed a drug form of chlorine E6, a photosensitizing agent, and an equipment for photoirradiation (solid laser device operating in quasi-impulse range at 660 nm wavelength ).

Chlorine E 6, a new photosensitizer, synthesized in the Republic of Belarus, has photodynamic properties surpassing those of photofrin - a derivative of hematoporphyrin, the photosensitizer that is widely used in the international PDT practice.

Our method of PDT has been developed in pilot studies on animals with implanted tumors. In the course of studies chlorine E6 has demonstrated vivid antitumor effect at minimal damage of normal tissues and tumor cells damage to the depth of 4 to 16 mm.

In 1995 - 96 the Research Institute of Oncology and Medical Radiology of the Health Ministry of RB in conformity with the WHO regulations carried a phase I clinical study of the PDT method using the original Belarussian photosensitizer chlorine E6. 14 patients with the surface metastatic carcinomas were studied for the antitumor efficacy of PDT and side effects of the treatment. Photoirradiation of tumors was done with solid lasers in 1 and 24 hours after administration of chlorine E6. There have been studies of the effect of chlorine E6 on vitally important organs and systems, pharmacokinetics of the drug and its antitumor effect. The therapeutic dose of chlorine E6 was 16 mg/kg. In the course of the studies (26 seances of PDT) a vivid antitumor effect was registered: - full tumor regression was achieved in 57,7 % and partial regression in 19.2 % cases.

The efficacy of PDT method, developed and applied by the Research Institute of Oncology and Radiology, its selectiveness in affecting malignant tissues at minimal damage of normal tissues, raises the necessity for popularization of the method all over Belarus. In 1997 it is planned to introduce the PDT method into the medical practice of the other clinics and cancer centers of Belarus.

To achieve this target it is planned to establish a Republican cancer center of photodynamic therapy using the Research Institute of Oncology and Medical Radiology as the base for this center. The Institute possess the required theoretical basis along with qualified personnel: oncologists, specialists in chemistry and physics, participating in the development of the method, and a good practical experience in organizing training workshops. The proposed project is aimed at introducing the method of photodynamic therapy into the oncological medical practice throughout the Republic of Belarus along with training of oncologists.

The Health Ministry of RB has allocated funds for this purpose though the financing is far from being sufficient to support achievement of the put targets. At the same time the need in effective antitumor therapy and further development of the promising PDT method has become especially acute after the Chernobyl catastrophe when the number of oncological patients in Belarus has raised greatly.

In the limits of the proposed project it is planned to pursue the following objectives:

1. To work out methodological recommendations and training programs and disseminate the PDT methodology among national oncological specialists.

2. To organize introduction of PDT method into the medical oncological practice of the Republic of Belarus.

3. To provide the Institute of Oncology and Medical Radiology with the necessary equipment required for further PDT method development and studies.

4. To study international expertise in oncological PDT methodology.

5. To participate in international workshops and conferences on PDT treatment of malignant tumors.

The Center will be able to address all these needs as well as the need for coordination and maximization of resources, operating in conformity with the corresponding international recommendations and assisting in introduction of PDT method into practical oncology. It is planned to use this center for regular annual workshops on PDT method inviting leading international and national specialists as workshop trainers. The Center will delegate its specialists to the international leading hospitals to follow their state- of -the art in PDT method application.

In the course of the project execution it is also planned to continue synthesis of chlorine E6 and to supply all regional oncological clinics of Belarus with this photosensitizing agent and the corresponding PDT laser equipment.

The project estimated duration is 2-3 years.

 The group of the scientists developed the automated system for measurement PH in various tumours used in treatment and in experience. The PH-system is constructed on the base of the computer with the appropriate software. The equipment is easy in operation and service. The system had preliminary tests and using in Medical Organizations of Belarus and Russia.

We are ready to make: - experimental researches; - Installation \ service \ advice PH-system.