The present invention relates to a sentinel lymph node marker comprising an albumin; a radioactive isotope and/or near infrared dye which is bound to the albumin; and a visible dye which is bound to the albumin, a preparation method thereof, and a kit for multimode imaging of a sentinel lymph node to prepare the sentinel lymph node marker. The sentinel lymph node marker of the invention remains in the sentinel lymph node for a long period of time and allows for multimode imaging of the sentinel lymph node. Thus, using this marker the sentinel lymph node can be accurately identified in vivo by near infrared imaging and/or gamma imaging without incision of skin, and the location of the identified sentinel lymph node can be precisely identified with the naked eye during a surgical operation of removing the identified sentinel lymph node.

Activity-based probe compounds for use in labeling a cysteine protease are provided. The compounds are targeted to the protease through a specific targeting element. The compounds additionally include a detectable element, such as a fluorescent label, a radiolabel, or a chelator. In some cases, the compounds additionally include a quenching element that is released upon reaction with the protease. Also provided are compositions comprising the compounds and methods for using the compounds, for example in labeling a protease in an animal and in visualizing a tumor in an animal.

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a nanoemulsion and a preparation method therefor, the nanoemulsion comprising an oil component, a surfactant, and an aqueous component, wherein the aqueous component comprises a water-soluble active ingredient, a polysaccharide, and hyaluronic acid.

Activity-based probe compounds for use in labeling a cysteine protease are provided. The compounds are targeted to the protease through a specific targeting element. The compounds additionally include a detectable element, such as a fluorescent label, a radiolabel, or a chelator. In some cases, the compounds additionally include a quenching element that is released upon reaction with the protease. Also provided are compositions comprising the compounds and methods for using the compounds, for example in labeling a protease in an animal and in visualizing a tumor in an animal.

The present invention provides nanomaterials for the specific targeting of immune cells. Methods of treating cardiac disease and inflammatory disease are also described.

The invention provides compositions and methods for immunotherapy including a modular CAR (mCAR) and a precision molecular adaptor (PMA) for targeting the modular CAR-T cells to one or more tumor antigen(s).

The present invention relates generally to methods and materials for use in photothermal or sonodynamic therapy. The invention novel nanoparticles for use in delivering sensitizers to solid tumour target, wherein the nanoparticles are composed of a polymers or co-polymer of monomers linked by peptide bonds, wherein the polymer or co-polymer comprises one or both of glutamate or derivatised glutatamic acid, and optionally a further, different, monomer which is a naturally occurring amino acid or synthetic monomer having a side chain group, wherein the polymer or co-polymer is not composed only of glutamate. The pendant groups and/or side chains of the polymer or co-polymer interact non-covalently with the sensitizer.

A nanodroplet particle useful as an imaging contrast agent comprises a saline solution that upon irradiation with a radiofrequency energy generate a detectable acoustic signal. The saline solution nanodroplets can be encapsulated by a fluorinated shell that maintains the integrity of the nanodroplets. The saline solution and the fluorinated shell form the nanoparticles when sonicated, for example, in the presence of a non-ionic surfactant to form double-emulsion compositions. The nanoparticles of the disclosure may be advantageously useful as imaging contrast agents suitable for providing a detectable signal when administered to an animal or human subject. The nanoparticles can be conjugated to targeting agents such as biomarker or cell-specific ligands so that the nanoparticles may be concentrated to a desired target such as, but not limited to, a suspected tumor.

The present invention discloses a solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) comprising: a) a solid lipid core comprising at least a glyceride and/or at least a fatty acid; b) a mixture of amphiphilic components forming a shell around said core a); c) an alkaline-earth complex with a compound of formula I and/or II: ##STR00001## d) at least a fluorescent dye selected from: a cyanine fluorescent dye and/or a polyetherocyclic compound selected from: coumarin, pyrano, quinoline, pyranoquinoline, indole and pyranoindole derivates in acid form or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. These nanoparticles allow a prolonged blood circulation half-life, show enhanced photostability and improved fluorescence signal. The dye is preserved from degradation and improves the fluorescent quantum yield.

The invention relates to amphiphilic dye-coated inorganic nanoparticle clusters and uses thereof. Specifically, the invention relates to cyanine and/or cyclic tetrapyrrole dye-coated metallic nanoparticle clusters for use in medical imaging and treatments.