A method for evaluating treatment outcome in a patient having a genetic predisposition for a malignant neoplasm before clinical manifestation of the neoplasm can be seen radiographically. The method permits visualization of any tumor, whether located externally on a patient's body or located internally in the body, and as small as 2 mm in diameter, using a biomarker. The method uses biomarkers conjugated with nanoparticles which include but are not limited to quantum dots, with the conjugated form collectively termed functionalized nanoparticles, that are heated under specified conditions to produce a photoacoustic signal that is then visualized to locate and/or treat the tumor.

A construct for detecting cellular membrane potential includes a nanoparticle operable as an electron donor; a modular peptide attached to the nanoparticle, the peptide comprising a nanoparticle association domain, a motif configured to mediate peptide insertion into the plasma membrane, and at least one attachment point for an electron acceptor positioned at a controlled distance from the nanoparticle; and an electron acceptor. The nanoparticle can be a quantum dot and the electron acceptor can be C.sub.60 fullerene. Photoacoustic emission from the construct correlates with cellular membrane potential.

Compounds used as labels with properties comparable to known fluorescent compounds. The compounds can be conjugated to proteins and nucleic acids for biological imaging and analysis. Synthesis of the compounds, formation and use of the conjugated compounds, and specific non-limiting examples of each are provided.

The present invention provides reagents and methods for detecting cancer and precancerous lesions in a patient.

An object is to provide a polymer having a high tumor/blood ratio. The present invention provides a polymer represented by the following formula (P1):

##STR00001##

wherein in the formula (P1), R represents any of a residue derived from a polymerization initiator, or a functional group; A may not be present, and when present, A represents any of a low-molecular compound, a dye, a reporter molecule, a target-binding molecule, a polymer or D; L represents a linker and L may not be present; n.sub.1 represents an integer of 1 or more; and D represents a dye backbone of a dye having absorption in the near-infrared region.

Acoustically activatable particles having low vaporization energy and methods for making and using same are disclosed. A particle of material includes a first substance that includes at least one component that is a gas 25 C. and atmospheric pressure. A second substance, different from the first substance, encapsulates the first substance to create a droplet or emulsion that is stable at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. At least some of the first substance exists in a gaseous phase at the time of encapsulation of the first substance within the second substance to form a bubble. After formation of the bubble, the bubble is condensed into a liquid phase, which causes the bubble to transform into the droplet or emulsion having a core consisting of a liquid. The droplet or emulsion is an activatable phase change agent that remains a droplet having a core consisting of a liquid at 25 C. and atmospheric pressure. The first substance has a boiling point below 25 C. at atmospheric pressure.

Compounds used as labels with properties comparable to known fluorescent compounds. The compounds can be conjugated to proteins and nucleic acids for biological imaging and analysis. Synthesis of the compounds, formation and use of the conjugated compounds, and specific non-limiting examples of each are provided.

A method of therapy for a tumor or other pathology by administering a combination of thermotherapy, immunotherapy, and vaccination optionally combined with gene delivery. The combination therapy beneficially treats the tumor and prevents tumor recurrence, either locally or at a different site, by boosting the patient's immune response both at the time or original therapy and/or for later therapy. With respect to gene delivery, the inventive method may be used in cancer therapy, but is not limited to such use; it will be appreciated that the inventive method may be used for gene delivery in general. The controlled and precise application of thermal energy enhances gene transfer to any cell, whether the cell is a neoplastic cell, a pre-neoplastic cell, or a normal cell.

The present subject matter provides compounds, compositions, and methods for identifying, monitoring, treating, and removing diseased tissue. Compounds, compositions, and methods for identifying, monitoring, and detecting circulating fluids such as blood are also provided.

Imaging and radiotherapeutic agents targeting fibroblast-activation protein-? (FAP-?) and/or prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) and their use in imaging and treating FAP-? and/or PSMA-related diseases and disorders are disclosed.