A multi-component nanochain for use in diagnostic and therapeutic applications includes at least three nanoparticles linked together to form the nanochain. At least one nanoparticle of the nanochain has an asymmetric surface chemistry defined by asymmetrically disposed first linkers and second linkers. The nanoparticles are linked to form the nanochain by linking first linkers and/or second linkers disposed on separate nanoparticles.

There is provided herein a nanovesicle having a bilayer comprising a saturated first phospholipid and no more than about 15 molar % of a second phospholipid covalently conjugated to a J-aggregate forming dye.

The invention discloses a recombinant protein (P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 and Neural Retina-specific Leucine Zipper) PSGL-1-NRL chimeric protein comprising a Selectin Binding domain and a non-covalent dimerization domain, which is a leucine zipper and is more preferably the leucine zipper domain of the human or mouse Neural Retina-specific Leucine Zipper. The chimeric protein further comprises a covalent dimerization domain with at least one cysteine suitable to form a disulfide bridge with another chimeric protein to form a homodimer. In the chimeric protein, the PSGL-1 domain corresponds to the extracellular region of Human PSGL-1 and is more preferably the selectin binding region of the mature protein. The chimeric protein is correctly post-translationally modified and is efficiently expressed in a mammalian system. It is sulfated, O-linked glycosylated and sialylated and binds P, E and L selectin, allowing in vivo and in vitro targeting for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

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.

Metastable liposomal formulations for hydrophobic drug delivery to a tissue or tissue lumen such the bladder have been developed. These are at least one micron in diameter and formed of one or more lipids having entrapped in the lipid a hydrophobic therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent. The greater stability of these liposomes, as well as the enhanced transfer of entrapped agent into the adjacent tissue, provides for better delivery, especially of hydrophobic agents such as tacrolimus which does not penetrate tissue well. The metastable liposomal formulations can be administered locally, preferably by instillation, or topically, for example, by spraying or painting, to a tissue or tissue lumen such as the bladder in need of treatment.

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.

The disclosure relates generally to alpha polyglutamated pralatrexate, formulations containing liposomes filled with alpha polyglutamated pralatrexate, methods of making the alpha polyglutamated pralatrexate and liposome containing formulations, and methods of using polyglutamated alpha polyglutamated pralatrexate and liposome containing formulations to treat hyperproliferative disorders (e.g., cancer) and disorders of the immune system (e.g., an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis).

Disclosed herein are embodiments of nanoparticle composites that comprise covalently coupled stabilizing agent molecules that improve stability of the nanoparticle composites and allow for tight packing of lipids and/or membranes. The nanoparticle composites can further comprise inhibition inhibitors and/or lipid components that interact to form a hybrid lipid bilayer membrane around the nanoparticle core. The nanoparticle composites can be coupled to drugs, targeting moieties, and imaging moieties. The nanoparticle composites can be used for in vivo drug deliver, disease diagnosis/treatment, and imaging.

Disclosed herein is a composition comprising a plurality of liposomes having an average diameter of less than 400 nanometers, wherein the plurality of liposomes comprise: a first lipid or phospholipid; a second lipid or phospholipid which is derivatized with a polymer; and a sterically bulky excipient capable of stabilizing the liposomes; a third lipid or phospholipid derivatized with a polymer terminated with an integrin targeting component; DSPE or a fourth lipid or phospholipid derivatized with a group binding a contrast enhancing agent wherein the plurality of liposomes optionally encapsulates a payload component consisting of one or more bioactive agents.

Disclosed herein is a pH activated nanoparticle that can be used to deliver labile therapeutic or diagnostic agents to the cytoplasm of cells. These nanoparticles allow the agents to escape the endosome by releasing a gas in an amount effective to disrupt the endosome and release the agents into the cytoplasm. The disclosed nanoparticles have a shell, such as a phospholipid bilayer shell, and a core containing a gas bound to a substrate by a pH sensitive interaction. Also disclosed herein is are methods for delivering a pH sensitive cargo to the cytoplasm of a cell, treating triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) in a subject, and treating HER2+ breast cancer in a subject.