Normal or genetically modified cell(s) having magnetic nanoparticle(s) bound (affixed) to their surfaces and methods of delivery to target tissues, e.g. For treatment of disease and/or injury.

The invention provides polymers and polymer-based nano-structures, in particular, polymers and polymer network to which biomolecules (e.g., proteins, antibodies, peptide aptamers) can be covalently conjugated and stably encapsulated therein and be controllably delivered and released upon degradation of the nano-structures in response to specific microenvironment, and compositions and methods of preparation and use thereof.

Nanoparticles useful for drug delivery are described. In one aspect, the nanoparticles contain poly(amine-co-ester)s or poly(amine-co-amide)s (PACE) modified with poly(ethylene glycol) (PACE-PEG), and can be optionally blended with a second PACE polymer optionally containing endgroup modifications. In another aspect, the nanoparticles contain a core containing a PACE polymer optionally containing endgroup modifications, and a polymeric surfactant non-covalently conjugated to the surface of the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles contain a peptide or protein targeting moiety that is covalently conjugated to the PACE-PEG polymer or to the surfactant on the surface of the nanoparticles via a linkage that contains a succinimide or substituted sulfone moiety, respectively. The nanoparticles provide as a versatile platform for the delivery of nucleic acids, such as mRNA.

The present invention provides combination therapy methods of treating a proliferative disease (such as cancer) comprising a first therapy comprising administering to an individual an effective amount of a taxane in a nanoparticle composition, and a second therapy which may include the administration of an effective amount of at least one other agent that antagonizes a PD-1 pathway in a cell.

This disclosure relates to nanoparticles carrying nucleic acid cassettes for expressing RNA. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to improved methods for targeted delivery and expression of siRNAs in vivo using DNA-based siRNA-expressing nanocassettes and receptor-targeted nanoparticles. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods of targeted delivery of survivin siRNA expressing nanocassettes which enhance sensitivity of human cancer cells to anticancer agents.

A heat-sensitive system comprising at least one nanoparticle bound covalently to at least one thermolabile molecule comprising an azo —N═N— functional group —N═N— in turn bound covalently to at least one active molecule selected from a fluorophore molecule and a drug is disclosed. The system converts an electromagnetic radiation into thermal energy exposed to an alternating magnetic field. Uses of the system are also disclosed.

The present invention discloses a method for synthesizing a new ferrihydrite nano-photosensitizer, comprising steps of: weighing 303 mg of Fe(NO.sub.3).sub.3⋅9H.sub.2O solid dissolved fully in 30 ml of distilled water to prepare a 0.75 mM of Fe(NO.sub.3).sub.3 solution in water; adding PEG solid to the solution in water by stirring to fully dissolve at a molar ratio of PEG to Fe.sup.3+ of 1:1-1:50; stirring the obtained solution under heating at 75° C. in a water bath for 10-50 minutes, and then immediately cooling in an ice bath after removing; centrifuging and washing the cooled mixed solution at high speed under low temperature with the supernatant discarded, to obtain pellets as PEG-modified ferrihydrite nanoparticles (PEG-Fns). The PEG-Fns synthesized in the present invention can be controllably induced and reduced by blue light to release Fe.sup.2+, and then produce ⋅OH through Fenton reaction of Fe.sup.2+ and H.sub.2O.sub.2 in the cell, which induces cell oxidative damage, thereby achieving controllable anticancer and antibacterial purposes.

Modular dendrimers with cationic groups and lipophilic groups are provided herein. In some aspects, the dendrimers provided herein may be formulated in compositions which contain a nucleic acid and one or more helper excipients. In some aspects, these compositions may also be used to treat diseases or disorders with a therapeutic nucleic acid.

The present invention is a preparation containing a statin-encapsulated nanoparticle obtained by encapsulating statin in a nanoparticle containing a bioabsorbable polymer. The nanoparticle has a number average particle diameter of less than 1000 nm. The preparation is used to enhance the function of a stem cell. The present invention is a stem cell with an enhanced function. The stem cell takes up and contains the statin-encapsulated nanoparticle.

Disclosed are synthetic nanocarrier compositions with coupled adjuvant compositions as well as related methods.