The disclosure relates to a gas-filled microbubble, comprising: a shell encapsulating a gas volume; wherein the shell comprises a gas impermeable molecular layer; wherein the shell is functionalized with a plurality of polymerizable molecules, wherein the polymerizable molecules comprise pentacosadienoic acid, PCDA, derivatives, in particular polyethylene glycol PCDA, PCDA-PEG; wherein the polymerizable molecules are configured to undergo polymerization when being irradiated with UV radiation in a determined wavelength range; and wherein the polymerization of the polymerizable molecules changes physicochemical properties, such as viscoelastic properties, of the microbubble.

Cancer treatment methods using thermotherapy and/or enhanced immunotherapy are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the method comprising the steps of: (i) applying controlled thermal energy at 40-43° C. for a first predetermined time period to damage and weaken tumor cells of a tumor in a patient; (ii) administering pulsed high intensity focused ultrasound (pHIFU) in a first ultrasound mode to the tumor cells in the patient so as to damage the tumor cells without increasing the thermal energy; and (iii) administering low intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) in a second ultrasound mode to further damage the tumor cells at a temperature of 39-43° C. for a second predetermined time period while performing observation of the tumor cells by ultrasonic thermometry.

Poly(amidoamine) [PAMAM] dendrimers for use as PSMA-targeted contrast agents for optical and photoacoustic imaging (PA) and theranostic agents for treating prostate cancer are disclosed.

Gas vesicles, protein variants and related compositions methods and systems for singleplexed and/or multiplexed ultrasound imaging of a target site in which a gas vesicle provides contrast for the imaging which is modifiable by application of a selectable acoustic collapse pressure value of the gas vesicle.

Markers (e.g., treatment site markers, biopsy site markers) are composed of a non-metallic material having a composition and/or other features or characteristics such that the markers will generate twinkling artifacts when imaged with ultrasound. In this way, the composition of the markers enables their detection and localization using ultrasound. The markers are generally composed of non-metallic materials that enhance the twinkling artifact.

Provided is a bilirubin derivative-based ultrasound contrast agent for diagnosis and treatment. The fine particles including the bilirubin derivative are sensitive to reactive oxygen species (ROS), bind with hydrophobic drugs, and can effectively chelate metals such as iron oxide nanoparticles. Therefore, the fine particle of the present invention can be used as an ultrasound contrast agent for diagnosis, as a magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent, or as a carrier for hydrophobic drugs or platinum-based drugs.

There is provided a microparticle composition suitable for molecular imaging, the composition comprising microparticles, wherein the microparticles comprise: a core microparticle structure having a central area and a shell, and wherein the core microparticle structure comprises (i) a phosphatidylcholine lipid: (ii) a phosphatidylethanolamine lipid comprising at least one maleimide moiety; and (iii) an alkoxylated fatty acid.

An ICG fluorescence image measured with an excitation light of 740 nm and a fluorescence of 845 nm is shown in FIG. 10, and an ICG fluorescence image measured with an excitation light of 780 nm and a fluorescence of 845 nm is shown in FIG. 11, respectively. As a result, it was observed that the ICG derivative RGD2-PPA-Cy accumulated in the tumor tissue 30 minutes after tail vein administration, regardless of whether the wavelength of the excitation light was 740 nm or 780 nm.

Shielding enzymes are made by modifying the enzyme surface with silica precursors and then depositing silica to a desired thickness while retaining biological activity of the enzyme.

The present invention is directed to a composition comprising at least one fibronectin binding polypeptide (FnBP) linked to at least one diagnostic or therapeutic agent, a nucleic acid encoding a fusion polypeptide comprising at least one fibronectin binding polypeptide (FnBP) linked to at least one diagnostic or therapeutic polypeptide agent as well as a corresponding recombinant vector and host cell comprising such a nucleic acid and preferably expressing said fusion polypeptide. The invention also relates to a kit of parts comprising at least one fibronectin binding polypeptide (FnBP), at least one diagnostic or therapeutic agent, and optionally one or more chemical agents for linking the fibronectin binding polypeptide (FnBP) to the diagnostic or therapeutic agent. In addition, the present invention intends said composition, nucleic acid, vector, host cell and kit for use in the therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of a disease, preferably a disease associated with abnormal fibronectin accumulation such as cancer, fibrosis or immune diseases.