The present invention relates to a method for increasing the blood-brain barrier permeability, and more particularly, to a method for increasing the blood-brain barrier permeability, the method including: (S1) a step of delivering a nanogenerator carrying a nitric oxide (NO) donor to a site adjacent to the blood-brain barrier; (S2) a step of delivering a first triggering stimulus to an area where the nanogenerator has been delivered so as to release nitric oxide from the nanogenerator; and (S3) a step of allowing the released nitric oxide to activate matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9) and inducing the activated MMP-9 to weaken the tight junction between a cerebrovascular endothelial cell and another cerebrovascular endothelial cell.

Methods and apparatus are provided for applying an fragment of a neurotoxin such as the active light chain (LC) of the botulinum toxin (BoNT), such as one of the serotype A, B, C, D, E, F or G botulinum toxins, via permeabilization of targeted cell membranes to enable translocation of the botulinum neurotoxin light chain (BoNT-LC) molecule across the targeted cell membrane to the cell cytosol where a therapeutic response is produced in a mammalian system. The methods and apparatus include use of catheter based delivery systems, non-invasive delivery systems, and transdermal delivery systems.

Disclosed are methods of imaging a cancer cell, the method comprising applying a first alternating electric field at a first frequency to the cancer cell for a first period of time, wherein application of the first alternating electric field at the first frequency to the cancer cell for the first period of time increases permeability of cell membranes of the cancer cell; introducing a nanoparticle to the cancer cell, wherein the increased permeability of the cell membranes enables the nanoparticle to cross the cancer cell membrane; and imaging the cancer cell.

Provided is a method of transfecting cells of the cochlea with an agent by electroporation, and in certain embodiments using a cochlear implant to provide at least one electroporation electrode.

Disclosed is a method of preventing or treating a condition of the gastrointestinal tract. The method includes the steps of providing a DNA repair composition, the DNA repair composition comprising at least one DNA repair enzyme, the DNA repair composition configured for administration within the gastrointestinal tract of a patient; and administering the DNA repair composition to the patient, such that the DNA repair composition is absorbed within the gastrointestinal tract of the patient to treat the condition of the gastrointestinal tract.

Disclosed herein is a vaccine comprising an antigen and IL-21. Also disclosed herein are methods for increasing an immune response in a subject. The methods may comprise administering the vaccine to the subject in need thereof.

The present invention provides for a dosing schedule for the intratumoral delivery of an immunostimulatory cytokine in combination with systemic delivery of a checkpoint inhibitor. In particular, it provides delivery of a plasmid encoding the immunostimulatory cytokine, e.g., IL-12, using intratumoral electroporation, and the systemic delivery of a PD-1 antagonist.

This invention relates to coated mesoporous nanoparticles (MSN). The coating material is an ultrasound-responsive material (for example a polymer) and it acts as a control layer for blocking/release of material loaded in the pores of the MSN.

A method of delivering drugs to inner ear facilitated by microbubbles, including mixing a microbubble composition and a drug into a microbubble-drug mixture, applying the microbubble-drug mixture to middle ear cavity, and placing a mechanical oscillation wave source to ear canal or cranium located behind the ear. The mechanical waves generated by the mechanical oscillation wave source penetrate through tympanum or cranium, and induce the cavitation on the microbubbles in the middle ear cavity. Thus, the permeability of the round window membrane is increased, so that the drug penetrates into inner through the round window membrane. Therefore, the mechanical oscillation wave source induces the cavitation on the microbubbles in a non-invasive way.

A long-term delivery system for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that can address the multifactorial nature of the disease. A polyurethane nanocapsule is disclosed that includes encapsulated molecules that treat AMD. The molecules can be passively delivered from the polyurethane nanocapsules over many weeks or months and/or can be tuned, non-invasively, using ultrasound to trigger the release the molecules from the polyurethane nanocapsules repeatedly in an on-demand and predictable manner. These nanocapsules have the potential to change the way diseases are treated and provide a new ultrasound-triggered drug delivery platform.