Abstract:
Provided are compositions and nanoparticle formulations that may be used, e.g., to deliver a therapeutic compound to a subject. In some embodiments, the nanoparticles may be used to deliver one or more chemotherapeutic agents to treat a cancer such, e.g., as a pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Abstract:
A near-infrared mediated drug delivery system comprising a plurality of microspheres made of polymeric material, each sphere containing a plurality of hollow gold nanospheres together with drug product, wherein upon NIR irradiation, the drug product is released from the microsphere.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a highly efficient method of preparing modified microcapsules exhibiting selective targeting. These microcapsules are suitable for encapsulation or surface attachment of therapeutic and diagnostic agents. In one aspect of the invention, surface charge of the polymeric material is altered by conjugation of an amino acid ester to the polymer, providing improved targeting of encapsulated agents to specific tissue cells. Examples include encapsulation of hydrophilic radiodiagnostic agents in 1 (my)m capsules to provide improved opacification and encapsulation of cytotoxic agents in 100 (my)m capsules for chemoembolization procedures. The microcapsules are suitable for attachment of a wide range of targeting agents, including antibodies, steroids and drugs, which may be attached to the microcapsule polymer before or after formation of suitably sized microcapsules. The invention also includes hydrophilic microcapsules surface modified with hydroxyl groups. Various agents such as estrone may be attached to the microcapsules and effectively targeted to selected organs.
Abstract:
To image apoptosis in vivo , small, membrane-permeable probes comprising a caspase 3 substrate, a fluorogenic dye and a radionuclide is provided. This dual-modality probe can be cleaved by caspase upon exposure to apoptotic cells, allowing imaging of caspase 3 and 7 activities using both optical and nuclear imaging techniques. The combined use of these methods provides the opportunity for a direct correlation between in vitro and in vivo biological activities and a viable method to treat disease
Abstract:
The present invention concerns a design for dendritic poly (amino acid) polymer carriers, also known as nonlinear polymers, and their applications. These dendritic poly (amino acid) carriers have multiple functional groups at the polymer surface. In addition, they have heterofunctional groups on the poly (amino acid) side chains for drug or diagnostic agent attachement. They are designed to allow sufficient preservation of the binding affinity of the targeting ligand while conjugating therapeutic or diagnostic agents to the polymers. The present invention also describes methods of production of the polymer carriers and methods for the treatment or diagnosis of diseases employing the polymer carriers. The present invention also includes methods to introduce targeting moieties site-specifically to the end of polymer chains.
Abstract:
Conjugate molecules comprising a ligand bonded to a polymer are disclosed. One such conjugate molecule comprises a ligand bonded to a polymer, a chelating agent bonded to the polymer, and a radioisotope chelated to the chelating agent. The conjugate molecules may be useful in detecting and/or treating tumors or biological receptors. These conjugate molecules may be synthesized without the necessity of preactivation of the ligand using an SCN-polymer-chelating agent precursor. Conjugate molecules incorporating an annexin V ligand are particularly useful for visualizing apoptotic cells. Conjugate molecules incorporating a C225 ligand are particularly useful for targeting tumors expressing EGFR.
Abstract:
Conjugate molecules comprising a ligand bonded to a polymer are disclosed. One such conjugate molecule comprises a ligand bonded to a polymer, a chelating agent bonded to the polymer, and a radioisotope chelated to the chelating agent. The conjugate molecules may be useful in detecting and/or treating tumors or biological receptors. These conjugate molecules may be synthesized without the necessity of preactivation of the ligand using an SCN-polymer-chelating agent precursor. Conjugate molecules incorporating an annexin V ligand are particularly useful for visualizing apoptotic cells. Conjugate molecules incorporating a C225 ligand are particularly useful for targeting tumors expressing EGFR.
Abstract:
Peptide targeting agents are provided that may be used as imaging and/or therapeutic agents for tumor cells overexpressing Ephrin receptors. In particular, the agents can be used for targeting cells expressing EphB4 and/or EphA2 receptors. Methods for non-invasive imaging and anticancer therapy using the targeting agents are likewise provided.
Abstract:
The disclosure relates to an imaging composition including a fungus-specific peptide and an imaging material. Another imaging composition includes a fungus-specific peptide and a chelator able to chelate a radionuclide. The disclosure also provides to a method of detecting a fungal infection. The method includes administering an imaging agent to a patient. The imaging agent comprises a fungus-specific peptide and an imaging material. Then one may detect the imaging agent in the patient. Detecting retained imaging agent in a tissue or organ indicates fungal infection of the tissue or organ.
Abstract:
Conjugate molecules comprising a ligand or targeting moiety bonded to a polymer spacer, a polymer carrier bonded to the polymer spacer, and a therapeutic agent bound to the polymer carrier (with or without a linker) are disclosed. The conjugate molecules are useful for the selective delivery of therapeutic agents to tumors or other tissues expressing biological receptors.