The invention relates to the use of the monoclonal antibody NILO1 for the diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention of brain tumors and lesions. Particularly, the invention relates to methods for the diagnosis of brain tumors and brain lesions in which cells marked with said antibody, or with immunologically active fragments thereof, are detected. The invention also relates to the use of said monoclonal antibody, or immunologically active fragments thereof, as a medicament for the treatment and/or prevention of brain tumors and brain lesions. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the monoclonal antibody NILO1, or its immunologically active fragments, are humanized.

A real-time method to monitor and harvest stem cells is provided in the present invention. In particular, the present invention provides a real-time method to monitor and harvest neural stem cells. The present invention has applications in providing an individualized cell replacement therapy for patient in need thereof. More specifically, the present invention has applications in performing real-time monitoring and harvesting of neural stem cells using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

A biocompatible magnetic material containing an iron oxide nanoparticle and one or more biocompatible polymers, each having formula (I) below, covalently bonded to the iron oxide nanoparticle:

##STR00001##

in which each of variables R, L, x, and y is defined herein, the biocompatible magnetic material contains 4-15% Fe(II) ions relative to the total iron ions. Also disclosed in a method of preparing the biocompatible magnetic material.

Embodiments of the present invention provide methods of detecting disease, methods of treating disease using targeted hyperthermia, methods of treating disease using targeted chemical agents, methods of treating disease comprising accurate measurements of the efficacy of treatments. The effect of nanoparticles on magnetic fields can be used to determine the location of a disease, and a measure of the number of cells characteristic of the disease. This location and measure can be used to guide therapy, and provide information regarding the most effective therapy to be applied. The same nanoparticles can be used to facilitate hyperthermia treatments, and to allow targeted application of chemical therapeutic agents.

The present invention provides nanoparticles including a metallic core having a length along each axis of from 1 to 100 nanometers and a coating disposed on at least part of the surface of the metallic core, wherein the coating comprises polydopamine, along with methods for making and using such nanoparticles. The metallic core may be gold, silver or iron oxide and the polydopamine coating may have other substances bound to it, such as silver, targeting ligands or antibodies, or other therapeutic or imaging contrast agents. The disclosed nanoparticles can be targeted to cells for treating cancer or bacterial infections, and for use in diagnostic imaging.

This invention relates to a method to assess nodal disease by magnetic resonance imaging with a contrast agent. The contrast agent comprises biofunctional magnetic nanoparticles coated with polymers outside the iron core and conjugated with antibodies specific to the tumor type to be assessed. Images produced from this magnetic resonance imaging with a contrast agent show heterogenous hypo intensity or heterogenous architecture in regions where binding by the antibodies is present.

A human lung cancer marker N3G4, and use of the same as human lung cancer marker is disclosed. Hybridoma cells which produce anti-N3G4 monoclonal antibodies, and the secreted monoclonal antibody LC128, and use of LC128 for the preparation of a diagnostic agent for lung cancer are also disclosed. Kits for in vitro diagnosis comprising the monoclonal antibody LC128 and methods for detecting tumor markers in lung tissue by using the monoclonal antibody LC128 are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to Tau-specific antibodies, fragments thereof, and uses thereof. More specifically, the present invention relates to Tau-specific antibodies, fragments thereof, and conjugates thereof with conjugated to a superparamagnetic nanoparticle. The molecules of the present invention may be used in visualizing damage from traumatic brain injury.

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.

The present invention provides nanoparticles including a metallic core having a length along each axis of from 1 to 100 nanometers and a coating disposed on at least part of the surface of the metallic core, wherein the coating comprises polydopamine, along with methods for making and using such nanoparticles. The metallic core may be gold, silver or iron oxide and the polydopamine coating may have other substances bound to it, such as silver, targeting ligands or antibodies, or other therapeutic or imaging contrast agents. The disclosed nanoparticles can be targeted to cells for treating cancer or bacterial infections, and for use in diagnostic imaging.