Abstract: Disclosed are compounds with the following structure (Formula (I)) where (Formula (II)) or (Formula (III)), X is an anion (e.g., a biologically suitable anion, such as, for example, chloride, iodide, and the like). Y is NH, NR10, or CR11R12. Z is a heteroatom (e.g., O, S, or Se). R and R1 are independently chosen from methyl, ethyl, propyl (e.g., n-propyl, isopropyl), butyl (e.g., n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl), and the like, and combinations thereof. In various examples, R and R1 are not both oxygen atoms (such that an —NO2 is formed). R2 and R3 are independently chosen from methyl, ethyl, propyl (e.g., n-propyl, isopropyl), butyl (e.g., n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl), and the like, and the like, and combinations thereof. R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, R11, and R12 are independently chosen from hydrogen, alkyl groups (e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl (e.g., n-propyl, isopropyl), butyl (e.g., n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl)), and the like, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present technology is directed to nanoparticle compositions and methods useful in treating RHAMM-positive cancers.

Abstract: The disclosure provides compositions comprising peptide-based nanofiber precursors and methods of using the same to inhibit cancerous cell growth and/or to deliver therapeutic or diagnostic agents to cells, e.g., cancerous cells. The compositions of the present technology include peptide-based nanofiber precursors as well as carrier complexes comprising a therapeutic or diagnostic agent, and a peptide-based nanofiber precursor. Also provided herein are methods for delivering a therapeutic or diagnostic agent to a cell comprising contacting the cell with a carrier complex including a therapeutic or diagnostic agent, and a peptide-based nanofiber precursor.

Abstract: A method for ablating cancerous tissue in a subject, the method comprising incorporating a sound excitable compound into said cancerous tissue followed by exposure of said cancerous tissue to low-intensity ultrasound having an intensity of no more than 5 W/cm2, said sound excitable compound having the structure Formula (1) wherein: X1, X2, X3, and X4 are each independently selected from iodine and bromine atoms; X5, X6, X7, and X8 are each independently selected from hydrogen atom, chlorine, bromine, and iodine atoms; Y1 is an —O—, —NR?—, or —CR?2— linker, wherein R? is independently selected from hydrogen atom and methyl; Z is a hydrocarbon linking group containing 1-12 carbon atoms; R1 is selected from hydrogen atom, methyl, —OH, and —OR groups, wherein R is an alkyl group containing one to three carbon atoms; and wherein said Formula (1) includes pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates of the compounds embraced by Formula (1).

Abstract: The disclosure provides compositions comprising peptide-based nanofiber precursors and methods of using the same to inhibit cancerous cell growth and/or to deliver therapeutic or diagnostic agents to cells, e.g., cancerous cells. The compositions of the present technology include peptide-based nanofiber precursors as well as carrier complexes comprising a therapeutic or diagnostic agent, and a peptide-based nanofiber precursor. Also provided herein are methods for delivering a therapeutic or diagnostic agent to a cell comprising contacting the cell with a carrier complex including a therapeutic or diagnostic agent, and a peptide-based nanofiber precursor.

Abstract: The disclosure provides compositions comprising peptide-based nanofiber precursors and methods of using the same to inhibit cancerous cell growth and/or to deliver therapeutic or diagnostic agents to cells, e.g., cancerous cells. The compositions of the present technology include peptide-based nanofiber precursors as well as carrier complexes comprising a therapeutic or diagnostic agent, and a peptide-based nanofiber precursor. Also provided herein are methods for delivering a therapeutic or diagnostic agent to a cell comprising contacting the cell with a carrier complex including a therapeutic or diagnostic agent, and a peptide-based nanofiber precursor.

Abstract: The disclosure provides compositions comprising peptide-based nanofiber precursors and methods of using the same to inhibit cancerous cell growth and/or to deliver therapeutic or diagnostic agents to cells, e.g., cancerous cells. The compositions of the present technology include peptide-based nanofiber precursors as well as carrier complexes comprising a therapeutic or diagnostic agent, and a peptide-based nanofiber precursor. Also provided herein are methods for delivering a therapeutic or diagnostic agent to a cell comprising contacting the cell with a carrier complex including a therapeutic or diagnostic agent, and a peptide-based nanofiber precursor.

Abstract: pH-sensitive fluorescent compounds that can generate a detectable signal for the relatively small changes in proton concentration associated with cancerous tissue are described. Methods of making and using the compounds to help detect cancerous tissue are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and kits comprising a therapeutic agent linked to a cleavable substrate, wherein the cleavable substrate is capable of being cleaved by cathepsin E. Also provided are methods of treating one or more symptoms of a disease or disorder characterized by expression of cathepsin E in a subject and methods of eliminating a cancer cell characterized by expression of cathepsin E using the provided compositions and kits. Further provided herein are methods of detecting the presence of a cancer cell or detecting a cathepsin E expressing cell using a photosensitizer linked to a cleavable substrate, wherein the cleavable substrate is capable of being cleaved by cathepsin E.

Abstract: Provided herein are polypeptides that are selectively cleaved by cathepsin E. Also provided are methods of detecting cathepsin E. The methods comprise contacting cathepsin E with the polypeptides provided herein and detecting fluorescence. Further provided are methods of diagnosing cancer or pre-cancerous conditions in a subject. Also provided herein is a multilayered nanoparticle or a composition comprising the multilayer nanoparticle, wherein the multilayered nanoparticle comprises a negatively charged nanoparticle core or capsule coated with alternating positive and negative layers. Optionally, the positive layer comprises a positively charged protease degradable polypeptide. Optionally, the negative layer comprises a negatively charged therapeutic agent or a therapeutic agent and a means for providing the agent with a negative charge. For example, optionally, the therapeutic agent is linked to a negatively charged polymer.

Abstract: Provided herein are polypeptides that are selectively cleaved by cathepsin E. Also provided are methods of detecting cathepsin E. The methods comprise contacting cathepsin E with the polypeptides provided herein and detecting fluorescence. Further provided are methods of diagnosing cancer or pre-cancerous conditions in a subject. Also provided herein is a multilayered nanoparticle or a composition comprising the multilayer nanoparticle, wherein the multilayered nanoparticle comprises a negatively charged nanoparticle core or capsule coated with alternating positive and negative layers. Optionally, the positive layer comprises a positively charged protease degradable polypeptide. Optionally, the negative layer comprises a negatively charged therapeutic agent or a therapeutic agent and a means for providing the agent with a negative charge. For example, optionally, the therapeutic agent is linked to a negatively charged polymer.

Abstract: An intramolecularly-quenched, near infrared fluorescence probe that emits substantial fluorescence only after interaction with a target tissue (i.e., activation) is disclosed. The probe includes a polymeric backbone and a plurality of near infrared fluorochromes covalently linked to the backbone at fluorescence-quenching interaction-permissive positions separable by enzymatic cleavage at fluorescence activation sites. The probe optionally includes protective chains or fluorochrome spacers, or both. Also disclosed are methods of using the intramolecularly-quenched, near infrared fluorescence probes for in vivo optical imaging.

Abstract: The invention relates to activatable imaging probes that include a chromophore attachment moiety and a plurality of chromophores, such as near-infrared chromophores, chemically linked to the chromophore attachment moiety so that upon activation of the imaging probe by interaction with a target molecule the optical properties of the plurality of chromophores are altered. The probe optionally includes protective chains or chromophore spacers, or both. Also disclosed are methods of using the imaging probes for in vivo and in vitro optical imaging.

Abstract: The invention provides a quenched fluorochrome conjugate and methods of use thereof in the detection and treatment of disorders characterized by unwanted cellular proliferation including cancer.

Abstract: An intramolecularly-quenched, near infrared fluorescence probe that emits substantial fluorescence only after interaction with a target tissue (i.e., activation) is disclosed. The probe includes a polymeric backbone and a plurality of near infrared fluorochromes covalently linked to the backbone at fluorescence-quenching interaction-permissive positions separable by enzymatic cleavage at fluorescence activation sites. The probe optionally includes protective chains or fluorochrome spacers, or both. Also disclosed are methods of using the intramolecularly-quenched, near infrared fluorescence probes for in vivo optical imaging.

Abstract: An intramolecularly-quenched, near-infrared fluorescence probe that emits substantial fluorescence only after interaction with a target tissue (i.e., activation) is disclosed. The probe includes a polymeric backbone and a plurality of near-infrared fluorochromes covalently linked to the backbone at fluorescence-quenching interaction-permissive positions separable by enzymatic cleavage at fluorescence activation sites. The probe optionally includes protective chains or fluorochrome spacers, or bothours. Also disclosed are methods of using the intramolecularly-quenched, near-infrared fluorescence probes for in vivo optical imaging.

Abstract: The invention relates to activatable imaging probes that includes a chromophore attachment moiety and one or more, e.g., a plurality of, chromophores, such as near-infrared chromophores, chemically linked to the chromophore attachment moiety so that upon activation of the imaging probe the optical properties of the plurality of chromophores are altered. The probe optionally includes protective chains or chromophore spacers, or both. Also disclosed are methods of using the imaging probes for optical imaging.

Abstract: An intramolecularly-quenched, near infrared fluorescence probe that emits substantial fluorescence only after interaction with a target tissue (i.e., activation) is disclosed. The probe includes a polymeric backbone and a plurality of near infrared fluorochromes covalently linked to the backbone at fluorescence-quenching interaction-permissive positions separable by enzymatic cleavage at fluorescence activation sites. The probe optionally includes protective chains or fluorochrome spacers, or both. Also disclosed are methods of using the intramolecularly-quenched, near infrared fluorescence probes for in vivo optical imaging.

Abstract: An intramolecularly-quenched, near infrared fluorescence probe that emits substantial fluorescence only after interaction with a target tissue (i.e., activation) is disclosed. The probe includes a polymeric backbone and a plurality of near infrared fluorochromes covalently linked to the backbone at fluorescence-quenching interaction-permissive positions separable by enzymatic cleavage at fluorescence activation sites. The probe optionally includes protective chains or fluorochrome spacers, or both. Also disclosed are methods of using the intramolecularly-quenched, near infrared fluorescence probes for in vivo optical imaging.

Abstract: The invention relates to activatable imaging probes that includes a chromophore attachment moiety and one or more, e.g., a plurality of, chromophores, such as near-infrared chromophores, chemically linked to the chromophore attachment moiety so that upon activation of the imaging probe the optical properties of the plurality of chromophores are altered. The probe optionally includes protective chains or chromophore spacers, or both. Also disclosed are methods of using the imaging probes for optical imaging.