The invention relates to compounds that interact with heparanase, uses in heparanase screening, uses in in vitro and in vivo imaging (e g , positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)), methods of synthesis, methods of modulating heparanase activity, and methods of treating disease and disorders associated with heparanase. The compounds of the invention are also useful in treating one or more diseases or disorders associated with the function of heparanase.

Radiation therapy or radiotherapy (RT) is a powerful treatment where precision and accuracy is crucial. Image Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT) facilitates more accurate position verification, correcting for anatomic changes related to internal organ movement. IGRT thereby helps reduce toxicity of radiotherapy and increases relapse-free survival. An inter-correlation point with a fixed position and volume (a marker) can be applied to indicate the point of treatment clearly in both imaging modalities and to localize and track tumors in real time. In this study, we present the development of a marker based on lactose octaacetate:octapropionate 1:1 containing 3 mM PLA-DTPA(Gd), 40% triglyceride, 5% propylene carbonate and 10% XSAIB (sucrose based CT-contrast agent). The injectable marker had high CT contrast (>1000 HU) and displayed clearly visible, stable T.sub.1 contrast enhancement (T.sub.1˜900 ms) in the rim over at least 3 weeks with clinically observable resolution.

An imaging nanoparticle comprising a plant virus particle having an interior surface and an exterior surface, an imaging agent that is linked to the interior and/or exterior surface, and a layer of biocompatible mineral such as silica coated over the exterior surface, is described. The imaging nanoparticle can be used in method of generating an image of a tissue region of a subject, by administering to the subject a diagnostically effective amount of an imaging nanoparticle and generating an image of the tissue region of the subject to which the imaging nanoparticle has been distributed.

The present invention provides a method for the commercial presentation of a solution of gadolinium-DOTA that provides certain advantages over the known methods.

Low-molecular weight gadolinium (Gd)-based MR contrast agents for PSMA-specific T.sub.1-weighted MR imaging are disclosed. The (Gd)-based MR contrast agents exhibit high binding affinity for PSMA and exhibit specific T.sub.1 contrast enhancement at PSMA+ cells. The PSMA-targeted Gd-based MR contrast agents can be used for PSMA-targeted imaging in vivo. .sup.86Y-labeled PSMA-binding ureas also are provided, wherein the PSMA-binding ureas also are suitable for use with other radiotherapeutics.

The present invention refers to a process for obtaining gadoterate meglumine from high purity tetraxetan (DOTA) which does not require the use of organic solvents and optimizes the conditions of the synthetic process. The tetraxetan from which the gadoterate meglumine is obtained by a synthetic process that includes a purification step in which at least one electrodialysis is performed. This procedure makes it possible to obtain a tetraxetan and a gadoterate meglumine with minimal amounts of impurities.

A liposomal composition (“ADx-001”) is provided, ADx-001 comprising a first phospholipid; a sterically bulky excipient that is capable of stabilizing the liposomal composition; a second phospholipid that is derivatized with a first polymer; a macrocyclic gadolinium-based imaging agent; and a third phospholipid that is derivatized with a second polymer, the second polymer being conjugated to a targeting ligand. The macrocyclic gadolinium-based imaging agent may be conjugated to a fourth phospholipid.

The present disclosure relates to a liquid pharmaceutical formulation comprising a DOSA-derived tetra-chelate of formula (I), in which M is an ion of a paramagnetic metal, preferably a Gd.sup.3+ ion, and R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are as defined in the claims, in a pharmaceutical acceptable solvent. The present disclosure also relates to a method of preparation of said liquid pharmaceutical formulation and to a method of imaging involving said liquid pharmaceutical formulation.

An imaging nanoparticle comprising a plant virus particle having an interior surface and an exterior surface, an imaging agent that is linked to the interior and/or exterior surface, and a layer of biocompatible mineral such as silica coated over the exterior surface, is described. The imaging nanoparticle can be used in method of generating an image of a tissue region of a subject, by administering to the subject a diagnostically effective amount of an imaging nanoparticle and generating an image of the tissue region of the subject to which the imaging nanoparticle has been distributed.

The present invention relates to a method of preparation of formulations of lanthanide metal complexes of macrocyclic chelators which further comprise a small excess of free chelator. The method uses a solid phase-bound scavenger chelator to remove excess lanthanide metal ions, prior to the addition of a defined excess chelator. Also provided is a method of preparation of MRI contrast agents, together with solid-phase bound chelator meglumine salts useful in the methods.