In 2023, the American Cancer Society anticipates the diagnosis of just over 1.9 million new cancer cases in the US.  PhotonPharma, a cancer immunotherapy developer, is dedicated to streamlining the process of eradicating solid cancerous tumors through their innovative therapeutic approach, known as Innocell™. Photon Pharma collaborated with Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies to develop a new use of Terumo’s Mirasol® Pathogen Reduction System, which serves a pivotal role in this process. By exposing cells to riboflavin (Vitamin B2) and ultraviolet (UV) light through the Mirasol device, this process inactivates the ability of cells to replicate by damaging chemical bonds in the cellular DNA while maintaining tumor cell antigens. Photon’s innovation entails extracting a portion of a patient’s tumor tissue, introducing these tissue cells into the Mirasol machine plus riboflavin and UV light, and subsequently reintroducing the modified cells back into the patient. The objective is to stimulate the patient’s immune system to effectively target and eliminate the tumor.

The Mirasol® Machine

Upon arrival at the laboratory, the excised tumor tissue is disrupted, and Riboflavin is incorporated into the process. Subsequently, the cells undergo exposure to UV light, after which they are deemed ready for administration. As indicated on photonpharmaceuticals.com, this approach does not disrupt the patient’s daily activities in the manner that CAR-T treatments might. The entire procedure generally spans a period of 24 to 48 hours.

Integration with CSU

At the forefront of PhotonPharma’s technological advancements is Raymond (Ray) Goodrich, former Executive Director of the IDRC and presently a professor in Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology department at Colorado State University (CSU). With nearly 30 years dedicated to studying transfusion-transmitted infections and devising strategies for preventing such diseases, Goodrich has been an integral part of CSU for 7 years. While he has stepped down from his role as Executive Director, his focus remains on teaching and driving forward research endeavors.