A composition includes a plurality of gold nanoparticles each having at least one surface. The gold nanoparticles have an average length of at least about 90 nm and an average width of at least about 25 nm.

Nanoparticles and nanoprobes for use as a contrast agent for X-ray imaging techniques, CT scanning techniques, MRI and optical imaging are disclosed. The nanoparticles and nanoprobes include a core having a contrast element characterized by a K-edge value ranging from about 17 to about 49 keV, and a stabilizing element which minimizes one or both of cytotoxicity and immunoreactivity of the contrast element. A first coating layer encapsulates the core, the first coating layer configured to render the nanoparticles soluble in a biological medium. A method for dual energy x-ray imaging includes the steps of administering to a subject the nanoparticles disclosed herein as a contrast agent; acquiring an image with a low energy spectrum; and acquiring an image with a high energy spectrum.

An amyloidogenic peptide biospecific agent comprises a nanoparticle which is visible under near infrared (NIR) and/or using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and/or Computed Tomography (CT). The biospecific agent further comprises at least one antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof, which is immunospecific for a transferrin receptor and an amyloidogenic peptide.

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 composition comprises an anti-nucleolin agent conjugated to nanoparticles, and optionally containing gadolinium. Furthermore, a pharmaceutical composition for treating cancer comprises a composition including an anti-nucleolin agent conjugated to nanoparticles, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The composition enhances the effectiveness of radiation therapy, enhancing contrast in X-ray imaging techniques, and when gadolinium is present, provide cancer selective MRI contrast agents.

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) targeted compounds having formula (I), nanoclusters formed thereof, pharmaceutical compositions comprising a plurality of these compounds, and methods for treating and detecting cancers in a subject are described herein.

The present invention relates to a recombinant self-assembled protein comprising a target-oriented peptide and a use thereof The recombinant self-assembled protein according to the present invention, comprising a target-oriented peptide, does not require an additional process for providing target-orientedness, and is thus capable of delivering a desired drug to a target tissue or target cell without using additives, such as chemical binders or stabilizers; therefore, the protein can be used for photothermal therapy, drug delivery, imaging, or the like. In particular, according to the present invention, it is possible to prepare gold-protein nanoparticle fusions in which uniform high-density gold nanoparticles having target-orientedness are bound to protein surfaces, without an additional process of surface stabilization or process for providing target-orientedness. Compared with conventional gold nanoparticles, the gold-protein nanoparticle fusions according to the present invention show structural stability against pH variation and concentration variation, and also have excellent target-orientedness; therefore, the fusions can bring a dramatic enhancement to the utilization of gold nanoparticles in photothermal therapy.

Gold nanoparticles are conjugated to phosphatidylserine-specific ligands for targeting and binding to surface-exposed phosphatidylserine on tumor cells and tumor vasculature. The ligand may be an annexin (e.g., annexin V). Tumor contrast is significantly increased using the targeted gold nanoparticles. Breast cancer tumors as small as 4 mm, for example, were detectable via computed tomography (CT) within 4 hours after injection of the conjugates, demonstrating usefulness of the conjugates as imaging agents. The targeted gold nanoparticle conjugate may further have a drug conjugated thereto that can be used therapeutically, for example, for cancer treatment. The gold nanoparticle conjugates can also be used for photothermal therapy and can be used in concert with an X-ray radiation treatment for cancer treatment.

Compositions of nanoparticles functionalized with at least one zwitterionic moiety, methods for making a plurality of nanoparticles, and methods of their use as diagnostic agents are provided. The nanoparticles have characteristics that result in minimal retention of the particles in the body compared to other nanoparticles. The nanoparticle comprising a nanoparticulate transition metal oxide covalently functionalized with a silane-functionalized non-targeting zwitterionic moiety.

Silica nanocarriers hybridized with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and curcumin through equilibrium or enforced adsorption technique. Methods for dual delivery of SPIONs and curcumin to a target for diagnosis or therapy, for example, for SPION-based magnetic resonance imaging or for targeted delivery of curcumin to a cell or tissue. The technique can be extend to co-precipitation of mixed metal oxide involving Ni, Mn, Co and Cu oxide. The calcination temperature can be varied from 500-900 C. The nanocombination is functionalized with chitosan, polyacrylic acid, PLGA or another agent to increase its biocompatibility in vivo.