The present invention relates to tumour necrosis factor (TNF) muteins with improved properties, and in particular to TNF muteins which are agonists of, and bind selectively to, tumour necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1). Compositions comprising said TNF muteins, which may additionally comprise appropriate anticancer agents or imaging agents are provided. The use of the muteins of the invention in methods of treating or detecting a tumour are also provided. The invention also provides nucleic acids (e.g. vectors) encoding the TNF muteins and host cells comprising said nucleic acids.

The present invention relates to a gadolinium-based compound of a Chemical Formula 1, a method for producing the same, and an MRI contrast agent containing the same. [Chemical Formula 1] [structural formula] In chemical formula 1, A and Linker represent linking groups, and RB represents a Rose Bengal-derived part.

The present invention relates to a gadolinium-based compound of a Chemical Formula 1, a method for producing the same, and an MRI contrast agent containing the same. [Chemical Formula 1] [structural formula] In chemical formula 1, A and Linker represent linking groups, and RB represents a Rose Bengal-derived part.

Provided are molecular probes for hyperpolarized .sup.15N magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) and their use for detecting reactive species (e.g., hydrogen peroxide) and imaging of oxidative stress. In particular, .sup.15N-boronobenzyl-4-cyanopyridinium (.sup.15N-BBCP) demonstrated highly favorable physicochemical and hyperpolarization properties, including long spin-lattice relaxation time (T.sub.1) and distinguishable .sup.15N chemical shift signals, that make it an effective reaction-based sensing probe for non-invasive, real-time detection of H.sub.2O.sub.2.

Provided are molecular probes for hyperpolarized .sup.15N magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) and their use for detecting reactive species (e.g., hydrogen peroxide) and imaging of oxidative stress. In particular, .sup.15N-boronobenzyl-4-cyanopyridinium (.sup.15N-BBCP) demonstrated highly favorable physicochemical and hyperpolarization properties, including long spin-lattice relaxation time (T.sub.1) and distinguishable .sup.15N chemical shift signals, that make it an effective reaction-based sensing probe for non-invasive, real-time detection of H.sub.2O.sub.2.

The invention relates to a method for synthesizing ultrasmall silica nanoparticles, useful in particular for diagnostics and/or therapy. More specifically, a method for synthesizing silica nanoparticles, said method comprising the mixing of at least one silane which is negatively charged at physiological pH with at least one silane which is neutral at physiological pH, and/or at least one silane which is positively charged at physiological pH, wherein: —the molar ratio A of neutral silane(s) to negatively charged silane(s) is defined as follows: 0≤A≤6, —the molar ratio B of positively charged silane(s) to negatively charged silane(s) is defined as follows: 0≤B≤5, —the molar ratio C of neutral and positively charged silanes to negatively charged silane(s) is defined as follows: 0<C≤8. The invention also relates to the obtained ultrasmall silica nanoparticles.

The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising an gadolinium-complex and a saturated macrocyclic tetraamine that find application in diagnostic imaging as diagnostic agents, in particular as contrast agents having improved tolerability, specifically in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and to their preparation.

Provided herein are nanoparticle compositions (e.g., nanoparticle compositions comprising high atomic number ions) that are useful for imaging diseases in a subject as well as radiosensitizing a disease in a subject (e.g., radiosensitizing a cancer in the subject). Methods of imaging a subject, methods of treating cancer, and processes of preparing the nanoparticle compositions are also provided.

The present invention relates to a complex of formula (II) constituted of at least 90% of a diastereoisomeric excess comprising a mixture of isomers II-RRR and II-SSS of formulae: ##STR00001##
The present invention also relates to a process for preparing and purifying said complex of formula (II), and also to a composition comprising said complex.

The invention provides a novel class of MRI contrast agents based on biogenic hemin and compositions and methods of preparation and use thereof.