The present invention is directed to protocells for specific targeting of hepatocellular and other cancer cells which comprise a nanoporous silica core with a supported lipid bilayer; at least one agent which facilitates cancer cell death (such as a traditional small molecule, a macromolecular cargo (e.g. siRNA or a protein toxin such as ricin toxin A-chain or diphtheria toxin A-chain) and/or a histone-packaged plasmid DNA disposed within the nanoporous silica core (preferably supercoiled in order to more efficiently package the DNA into protocells) which is optionally modified with a nuclear localization sequence to assist in localizing protocells within the nucleus of the cancer cell and the ability to express peptides involved in therapy (apoptosis/cell death) of the cancer cell or as a reporter, a targeting peptide which targets cancer cells in tissue to be treated such that binding of the protocell to the targeted cells is specific and enhanced and a fusogenic peptide that promotes endosomal escape of protocells and encapsulated DNA. Protocells according to the present invention may be used to treat cancer, especially including hepatocellular (liver) cancer using novel binding peptides (c-MET peptides) which selectively bind to hepatocellular tissue or to function in diagnosis of cancer, including cancer treatment and drug discovery.

Disclosed are compositions that contain a plurality of biocompatible self-assembling molecules that transform from isolated molecules or spherical micelles while in blood serum into cylindrical nanofibers in the acidic extracellular environment of tumors, which can be used to achieve a higher relative concentration of imaging drug delivery, or radiotherapeutic agents at the tumor site compared to non-tumor tissues. This transition is rapid and reversible, indicating the system is in thermodynamic equilibrium.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for compositions including organic, water-soluble NIR-II fluorescent agent that emit radiation at about 1.0 to 1.7 μm, methods of making the composition, methods of imaging a disease and related biological events, methods of imaging, monitoring and/or assessing a disease and related biological events, and the like.

Described herein are pH responsive compounds, micelles, and compositions useful for the detection of primary and metastatic tumor tissues. Compounds described herein are imaging agents useful for the detection of primary and metastatic tumor tissue (including lymph nodes). Real-time fluorescence imaging during surgery aids surgeon in the detection of metastatic lymph nodes or delineate tumor tissue versus normal tissue, with the goal of achieving negative margins and complete tumor resection.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a nano diagnostic agent capable of selective staining of abnormal inflammatory tissues or tumor tissues. The method for preparing a nano diagnostic agent, according to the present invention, is characterized by comprising: a step of forming a first mixture by mixing polysorbate 80, soybean oil, and a water-insoluble staining material; a step of forming a second mixture by mixing and then heating the first mixture and a triblock copolymer; a step of forming a nano platform solid by cooling the second mixture; a step of forming a third mixture by mixing a solvent with the nano platform solid; a step of removing impurities from the third mixture; and a step of forming a nano-composite by freeze-drying the third mixture from which the impurities are removed. Thereby, the present invention can increase the search efficiency of a disease lesion by being transmitted through micropores of a tumor through direct permeation and absorption so as to precisely distinguish normal tissues from abnormal tissues.

The present disclosure relates to probes and methods for detecting nucleic acids, and for detecting and treating neovas-cularization.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a targeting platform that includes a targeted delivery system including an agent. In some embodiments, the targeted delivery system is modified by fluorination. In some embodiments, the targeted delivery system is electrically charge neutral. In a further embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a method that includes fluorinating a targeting compound with a fluorinating reagent and loading an agent with the fluorinated targeting compound to thereby form a micelle. In an additional embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a targeting platform that includes a fluorinated polymeric system including an agent. In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a method that includes fluorinating a targeting compound with a fluorinating reagent and loading an agent with the fluorinated targeting compound to thereby form a micelle. Additionally, the method can include administering the fluorinated targeting compound to a subject.

The present invention provides amphiphilic telodendrimers that aggregate to form nanocarriers characterized by a hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic exterior. The nanocarrier core may include amphiphilic functionality such as cholic acid or cholic acid derivatives, and the exterior may include branched or linear poly(ethylene glycol) segments. Nanocarrier cargo such as hydrophobic drugs and other materials may be sequester in the core via non-covalent means or may be covalently bound to the telodendrimer building blocks. Telodendrimer structure may be tailored to alter loading properties, interactions with materials such as biological membranes, and other characteristics.

Described herein are therapeutic pH responsive compositions comprising a block copolymer and a therapeutic agent useful for the treatment of cancer.

The present invention relates to a targeting-type capsule for drug delivery systems. The present invention addresses the problem of providing a capsule for drug delivery systems by utilizing the reactivity of a thiol with an alkyl halide, wherein the capsule comprises a silole-containing carbosilane dendrimer and a labeling protein containing a target recognition site (e.g., green fluorescent protein), can include a biological polymer or another molecule therein, and can deliver the biological polymer or the like selectively into a target cell.