PHOTODYNAMIC INACTIVATION OF FREE AND CELL-ASSOCIATED HIV-1 USING THEPHOTOSENSITIZER, BENZOPORPHYRIN DERIVATIVE

The photosensitizer benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid ring A (BPD) ha s been investigated regarding its ability to destroy free and cell-ass ociated human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) when activated by light. Experiments with free virus in tissue culture medium indicate t hat light-activated BPD was effective in rendering HIV uninfectious. A zidothymidine (AZT)-resistant strains of HIV appear equally susceptibl e to photodynamic inactivation under drug and light conditions that pr oved effective in inactivating AZT-sensitive strains of HIV. Experimen ts conducted on whole blood from individuals infected with HIV demonst rate that BPD and light treatment could significantly reduce cell-asso ciated virus, under conditions that appear not to damage red blood cel ls. The amount of culturable virus from infected leukocytes surviving photodynamic treatment could be further reduced by the addition of AZT to the culture.