Nano-scale contrast agents and methods of use
AssigneeMarval Biosciences, Inc.
InventorsEfstathios Karathanasis, Russell M. Lebovitz, Ananth Annapragada, Ravi V. Bellamkonda
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Abstract
Compositions and methods are disclosed for evaluating a subject's vasculature integrity, for differentiating between a malignant lesion and a benign lesion, for evaluating the accessibility of a tumor to nano-sized therapeutics, for treating tumors, and for live or real time monitoring of a nano-probe's biodistribution.
Claims23
A method for evaluating a subject's vasculature integrity, the method comprising:
- introducing a composition into the subject's vasculature, the composition comprising:
- liposomes, a plurality of the liposome encapsulating one or more nonradioactive contrast-enhancing agents, and a plurality of the liposomes comprising:
- cholesterol, at least one phospholipid, and at least one phospholipid which is derivatized with a polymer chain, wherein the average diameter of the liposomes is less than 150 nanometers;
- generating images of the subject's vasculature;
- and
- analyzing the images to detect a leak in the subject's vasculature.
A method for differentiating between a malignant lesion and a benign lesion, the method comprising:
- introducing a composition into a lesion of interest, the composition comprising:
- liposomes, each liposome comprising:
- at least one first lipid or phospholipid;
- at least one second lipid or phospholipid which is derivatized with one or more polymers;
- and
- at least one sterically bulky excipient capable of stabilizing the liposomes, wherein the average diameter of the liposomes is less than 150 nanometers, and wherein each liposome encapsulates at least one nonradioactive contrast enhancing agent;
- generating images of the lesion of interest;
- and
- analyzing the images to determine the extent of accumulation of the composition in the lesion of interest.
A method for evaluating the accessibility of a tumor to nano-sized therapeutics, the method comprising:
- introducing a composition into the tumor, the composition comprising:
- liposomes, the liposomes comprising:
- at least one first lipid or phospholipid;
- at least one second lipid or phospholipid which is derivatized with one or more polymers;
- and at least one sterically bulky excipient capable of stabilizing the liposomes, wherein the average diameter of the liposomes is less than 150 nanometers, and wherein the liposomes encapsulate at least one nonradioactive contrast enhancing agent;
- generating images of the tumor;
- and
- analyzing the images to determine the extent of accumulation of the composition in the tumor.
A composition, comprising:
- liposomes having an average diameter of less than 150 nanometers, a plurality of the liposomes comprising:
- a first lipid or phospholipid;
- a second lipid or phospholipid which is derivatized with a polymer;
- and
- a sterically bulky excipient capable of stabilizing the liposomes;
- wherein a plurality of the liposomes co-encapsulate a nonradioactive contrast enhancing agent and at least one bio-active agent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.