Compounds containing TRPV6-binding peptides and their use in the detection and diagnosis of cancer are described. Also described are methods for detecting and staging cancer that use the compounds of the invention. Compounds containing TRPV6-binding peptides are useful for the delivery of diagnostic and therapeutic agents to cells or tumors that express TRPV6.

There are described magnetic nanoparticles the surface of which is functionalized with catechol and constructs comprising a plurality of said nanoparticles encapsulated in a biocompatible polymer matrix, wherein a molecule with therapeutic action is optionally dispersed, said polymer matrix optionally being in turn further functionalized; there are further described cells of the immune system incorporating said polymeric constructs giving rise to their engineering.

Disclosed are a sensitizing composition for thermal cancer therapy using electromagnetic waves and a method of treating cancer using the composition. The sensitizing composition includes a metal ion, a metal ion-bound material, “metal ion-noncovalently bound apotransferrin” (transferrin), or a metal ion-noncovalently bound apotransferrin derivative. The sensitizing composition enables selective delivery of the metal ion to tumorous tissue when administered in vivo, and thus the generation of heat in tumorous tissue in which the metal ion accumulates is increased upon thermal cancer therapy using electromagnetic waves, thereby maximizing efficacy of thermal cancer therapy using electromagnetic waves in treating cancer. Thermal therapy using the sensitizing composition effectively treats cancer without pain or side effects and is thus expected to be widely useful in anticancer treatment as monotherapy, and/or in combination with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination thereof, ultimately increases the potential to cure cancer.

A magnetic nanoparticle including a TRPV1 agonist, as well as methods of preparation and use, are described herein. A magnetically responsive pharmaceutical can include a core region having a magnetic nanoparticle (MNPs) and a TRPV1 protein agonist. Further, an exterior coating comprising a polymer can be formed around the core region. The magnetically responsive pharmaceutical can be administered to a recipient and directed to a target region using an external magnetic field.

TTFields therapy is a proven approach for treating tumors using electric fields. This application describes systems and methods for measuring the temperature at the electrode elements of the transducer arrays that are used to apply the TTFields to a subject. A distal circuit is positioned adjacent to each transducer array, and the distal circuit interfaces with temperature sensors in the transducer array to obtain temperature readings. Those temperature readings are transmitted to a central hub. In some embodiments, temperature measurements from all of the distal circuits occur simultaneously.

The field of the disclosure relates generally to cancer cell destruction and, more specifically, to cancer cell destruction by photo-magnetic irradiation mediated multimodal therapy using smart nanostructures.

The present description relates to an emulsion comprising an amphiphilic compound, a first phase comprising droplets including at least one perfluorocarbon compound and a second phase, which is aqueous. The droplets have a diameter d.sub.4,3 of between 0.5 pm and 5.5 pm, and the at least one perfluorocarbon compound has a boiling point above 100° C. The present description also relates to such an emulsion for use as an improving agent in ultrasound ablation surgery (FIG. 3).

A method of therapy for a tumor or other pathology by administering a combination of thermotherapy and immunotherapy optionally combined with gene delivery. The combination therapy beneficially treats the tumor and prevents tumor recurrence, either locally or at a different site, by boosting the patient's immune response both at the time of original therapy and/or for later therapy. With respect to gene delivery, the inventive method may be used in cancer therapy, but is not limited to such use; it will be appreciated that the inventive method may be used for gene delivery in general. The controlled and precise application of thermal energy enhances gene transfer to any cell, whether the cell is a neoplastic cell, a pre-neoplastic cell, or a normal cell.

A nanoparticle for diagnostic, therapeutic, and/or theranostic applications includes a rod-shaped plant virus like particle (VLP), one or more gadolinium T.sub.1 contrast agents conjugated to an interior surface of the VLP, and a layer of polydopamine (PDA) coated over a portion of the exterior surface of the VLP.

The present disclosure provides a for peptoid compounds that bind selective to cancer stem cells (CSCs), particularly those associated with breast cancer. Conjugates of the peptoids to detactable labels and therapeutic agent are contemplated as are methods of diagnosing and treating breast cancer.