The method for remote, non-invasive in vivo control of the activation of light-sensitive bioactive molecules for the purpose of research or therapy is based on delivering to the required site of the body of nanoparticles along with said light-sensitive bioactive molecules. Nanoparticles' core is made from scintillator material that absorbs X-ray and in response emits visible light; they have biocompatible protective coating and surface targeting agents enabling accumulation at the required site(s) within the body. Irradiation of the site with the highly penetrable X-rays causes nanoparticles to emit visible light which will activate light-sensitive bioactive molecule(s) within this site inducing sought therapeutic effect.

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.

Design and use of an administered drug in the form of a nanoparticle or molecule is described. In certain examples, the nanoparticle has a core and a shell surrounding the core. The core may be configured or designed to provide useful X-ray attenuating properties, gamma ray emission properties, magnetic properties, or therapeutic effects. In certain aspects, the nanoparticle or molecule is sized so as to either distribute from or remain in the blood pool, while still being eliminated by the kidneys.

Design and use of an administered drug in the form of a nanoparticle or molecule is described. In certain examples, the nanoparticle has a core and a shell surrounding the core. The core may be configured or designed to provide useful X-ray attenuating properties, gamma ray emission properties, magnetic properties, or therapeutic effects. In certain aspects, the nanoparticle or molecule is sized so as to either distribute from or remain in the blood pool, while still being eliminated by the kidneys.

Biocompatible particles comprising a metallic core and a plurality of drug-loading ligands coordinated to the metallic core are described. The metallic core can, for example, have a melting point of 100 C. or less. The biocompatible particles can, in some examples, further comprise a therapeutically effective amount of a drug coordinated to the plurality of drug-loading ligands. In some examples, the biocompatible particles can further comprise a plurality of targeting ligands coordinated to the metallic core. Also disclosed herein are methods of making the biocompatible particles described herein, for example using sonication. Also disclosed herein are methods of treating cancer in a subject comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of the biocompatible particles or compositions disclosed herein.

A pharmaceutical composition includes a plurality of metal nanoparticles and at least one therapeutic agent. Each of the metal nanoparticles includes a core and a stabilizing agent coated on a surface of the core. The at least one therapeutic agent is attached to the stabilizing agent of the metal nanoparticles. Each of the therapeutic agent is an amphiphilic compound and has at least one hydrophobic chain interacting with the stabilizing agent. The pharmaceutical composition may further include a polymer shell encapsulating the metal nanoparticles and the therapeutic agent for enabling controlled release of the therapeutic agent. The pharmaceutical compositions are bifunctional and may be used for diagnosing and treating cancer. Methods for using the pharmaceutical compositions in conjunction with radiation therapy to diagnose and treat cancer are also provided.

A colon imaging system, including an imaging capsule, having: a. a radiation source providing X-Ray and gamma radiation with energies sufficient to induce X-Ray fluorescence from nanoparticles that adhere to cancerous tissue, and which were administered to a patient in a solution prior to examining the colon with the imaging capsule; b. a detector for detecting particle energy of particles emitted responsive to the provided radiation and forming count information disclosing a number of particles detected for each energy level; c. a transceiver for transferring the count information to an external computer for analysis, and also having a computer for constructing images of an inside of the colon based on the count information; wherein the images provide an indication of locations in the colon of which the nanoparticles adhere to.

A nanoparticle composition is provided. The nanoparticle composition includes a plurality of nanoparticles, each nanoparticle of the plurality having a core including tantalum oxide, and a covalent coating covalently bound to the core. The covalent coating includes a surface modifier selected from the group consisting of (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxy silane (APTMS), (3-aminopropyl)triethoxy silane (APTES), APTMS-methoxy-poly(ethylene-glycol)-succinimidyl glutarate (APTMS-m-PEG-glutarate), APTES-methoxy-poly(ethylene-glycol)-succinimidyl glutarate (APTES-m-PEG-glutarate), 2-[methoxy (polyethyleneoxy)-9-12-propyl] trimethoxysilane (PEG-Silane), hexadecyltriethoxy silane, and combinations thereof. Methods of synthesizing and using the nanoparticle composition are also provided.

Compositions and methods for the radiological and immunotherapeutic treatment of cancer are provided. Metallic nanoparticles conjugated with an immunoadjuvant are dispersed within a biodegradable polymer matrix that can be implanted in a patient and released gradually. The implant may be configured as, or be a component of, brachytherapy spacers and applicators, or radiotherapy fiducial markers. The composition may be combined with marginless radiotherapy, allowing for lower doses of radiation and enhancing the immune response against cancer, including at non-irradiated sites.

A method for making metal nanorods comprises combining a source of metal cations with at least one surfactant to form a mixture, wherein the metal cations are reduced and the metal nanorods are produced. Metal nanorods produced by the method and uses thereof. The metal nanorods are useful in devices such as lateral flow devices.