Disclosed herein is a bi-specific antibody that specifically directs a therapeutic agent to a cancer cell by targeting a tumor antigen of the cancer cell, and thereby suppressing the growth of the cancer or blocking the invasion or metastasis of the cancer. The bi-specific antibody of the present disclosure includes a first antigen binding site that binds to polyethylene glycol (PEG); and a second antigen binding site that binds to a target ligand, such as a tumor antigen.

The invention is directed to the field of gene therapy, i.e. gene delivery into target cells, tissue, organ and organism, and more particularly to gene delivery via viral vectors. The inventors showed that it is possible by chemical coupling to modulate the coupling of a ligand in the surface of the capsid of AAV, for example AAV2 and AAV3b. In particular, the present invention relates to a recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus (rAAV) vector particle having at least one primary amino group contained in the capsid proteins, chemically coupled with at least one ligand L wherein coupling of said ligand L is implemented through a bond comprising a —CSNH— bond and an optionally substituted aromatic moiety.

Particularly, the inventors tested the chemical coupling of mannose ligand on AAV2 for subretinally injection to rats. The present invention further relates to a method for chemically coupling an Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) vector particle with at least one ligand L and to a Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus (rAAV) vector particle obtained by said method as well as a pharmaceutical composition comprising it and their corresponding medical use.

Provided is a novel nanoparticle, a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging containing the same, and a zwitterionic ligand compound used in production of the nanoparticle. The contrast agent for MRI of the present invention can be suitably used as a contrast agent for MRI in a medical field. The nanoparticle and the zwitterionic ligand compound of the present invention are applicable to various pharmaceutical compositions and the like, including a contrast agent for MRI, and can be used widely in the fields of pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and the like, including various diagnosis methods and examination reagents.

The present invention relates to magnetic single-core nanoparticles, in particular stable dispersible magnetic single-core nanoparticles (e.g. single-core magnetite nanoparticles) having a diameter between 20 and 200 nm in varied morphology, and the continuous aqueous synthesis thereof, in particular using micromixers. The method is simple, quick and cost-effective to perform and is carried out without organic solvents. The single-core nanoparticles produced by the method form stable dispersions in aqueous media, i.e. not having a tendency to assemble or aggregate. In addition, the method offers the possibility of producing anisotropic, super-paramagnetic, plate-shaped nanoparticles which, due to their shape anisotrophy, are extremely suitable for use in polymer matrices for magnet field-controlled release of active substances.

An isolated or a synthetic targeting peptide comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO: 8 is disclosed. The targeting peptide may be conjugated to a component selected from the group consisting of polymeric micelles, lipoprotein-based drug carriers, nanoparticle drug carriers, a chemotherapeutic agent, a micelle, a liposome, dendrimers, a polymer, a lipid, an oligonucleotide, a peptide, a polypeptide, a protein, a prostate cancer cell, a stem cell, and an imaging agent. Also disclosed are a kit for imaging and detecting the presence of prostate cancer cells in vivo or in vitro, and a composition for treating prostate cancer, inhibiting prostate cancer cell growth, inducing prostate cancer cell cytotoxicity, and/or increasing the survival rate in a prostate cancer patient.

Compounds containing TRPV6-binding peptides and their use in the detection and diagnosis of cancer are described. Also described are methods for detecting and staging cancer that use the compounds of the invention. Compounds containing TRPV6-binding peptides are useful for the delivery of diagnostic and therapeutic agents to cells or tumors that express TRPV6.

Described herein are hybrid nanoparticles that are exosomes loaded with one or more nanoparticle dendrimers. Also included are pharmaceutical compositions including the hybrid nanoparticles and methods of making the hybrid nanoparticles. Also described is a method of treating a human subject by administering to the human subject the above-described hybrid nanoparticles.

The present disclosure provides stimuli-responsive particles, methods of preparing stimuli-responsive particles, and methods of using the stimuli-response particles. Unlike conventional platforms, (e.g., polymers, liposomes, dendrimers) the particles of the present disclosure have precise size control of the particle diameter, high uniformity, high stability, high active agent uptake capacity, minimal premature active agent leakage, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. Additionally, the present disclosure provides magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems and methods of using the MRI systems in combination with the stimuli-responsive particles described herein.

Liposomes have been used in technologies in biological, pharmaceutical, medical and nutritional applications because they can offer biocompatibility, biodegradability, reduced toxicity, and capacity for size and surface modifications. Traditionally, liposomes are prepared by multiple steps. However, multiple steps of preparation may cause a number of problems including low yield, high polydispersity, and poor morphology. Here, we synthesized liposomes containing magnetic iron oxide nanoparticle using one-pot, single step synthesis under ultra-sonication. We optimized the lipid compositions, sonication power, concentration of iron oxide nanoparticles, and antibody conjugation using Cu-free click chemistry. Furthermore, we incorporated doxorubicin inside magnetic liposomes for combined antibody targeting and magnetic guidance. Fluorescence imaging and quantification confirmed that antibody conjugated magnetic liposome showed high cell specific targeting that was enhanced by magnetic delivery.

Silica nanocarriers hybridized with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (“SPIONs”) and curcumin through equilibrium or enforced adsorption technique. Methods for dual delivery of SPIONs and curcumin to a target for diagnosis or therapy, for example, for SPION-based magnetic resonance imaging or for targeted delivery of curcumin to a cell or tissue. The technique can be extend to co-precipitation of mixed metal oxide involving Ni, Mn, Co and Cu oxide. The calcination temperature can be varied from 500-900° C. The nanocombination is functionalized with chitosan, polyacrylic acid, PLGA or another agent to increase its biocompatibility in vivo.