Abstract: A non-radioactive prodrug comprising a PSMA-targeted moiety, a cleavable linker, and an antineoplastic agent capable of selectively killing PSMA-expressing cells and methods of treating a disease or condition associated with PSMA-expressing tumors or cells is disclosed.

Abstract: A DNA plasmid useful for diagnostic and therapeutic gene therapy is disclosed. Improvements to gene therapy methods known in the art are provided to ensure cancer-targeting, high efficacy, and long durability of expression. The DNA plasmid is combined with compositions of polymeric nanoparticles for non-viral gene therapy to treat cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma and prostate cancer.

Abstract: Provided are cells, such as engineered cells, that express a prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) or a modified form thereof. In some embodiments, the cell further contains a genetically engineered recombinant receptor, such as a chimeric antigen receptor, that specifically binds to an antigen. The present disclosure also provides methods of detecting, identifying, selecting or targeting cells expressing PSMA, such as in connection with administration of such cells to subjects, including methods of adoptive cell therapy, or in connection with methods of manufacturing engineered cells.

Abstract: A major hurdle in the treatment of cancer is chemoresistance induced under hypoxia that is characteristic of tumor microenvironment. Triptolide, a potent inhibitor of eukaryotic transcription, possesses potent antitumor activity. However, its clinical potential has been limited by toxicity and water solubility. To address those limitations of triptolide, the present disclosure designed and synthesized glucose-triptolide conjugates (glutriptolides) and demonstrated their antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo. The glutriptolides disclosed herein possess improved stability in human serum, greater selectivity towards cancer over normal cells and increased potency against cancer cells. Importantly, the glutriptolides are more potent against cancer cells under hypoxic conditions in contrast to existing cytotoxic drugs. These glutriptolides also exhibit sustained antitumor activity, prolonging survival in a prostate cancer metastasis animal model.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides a kinetically controlled mixing process, referred to herein as “flash nanocomplexation” or “(FNC),” to accelerate the mixing of a polyanion solution, for example, a plasmid DNA solution, with a polycation solution to match the polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) assembly kinetics through turbulent mixing in a microchamber, thus achieving explicit control of the kinetic conditions for nanoparticle assembly as demonstrated by the tunability of nanoparticle size, composition, hydrodynamic size, hydrodynamic density, surface charge, and polyanion payload.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a polymeric micellar nanoparticle composition comprising a block or graft copolymer comprising at least one polycationic polymer and at least one polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymer having an average molecular weight less than 1 kDa, and at least one nucleic acid, wherein the graft or block copolymer and at least one nucleic acid are complexed and condensed into a shaped micellar nanoparticle that is stable in biological media are disclosed. The presently disclosed subject matter also provides a method for preparing the presently disclosed polymeric micellar nanoparticle compositions, a method for targeting at least one metastatic cancer cell in a subject, and a method for treating a disease or condition using the presently disclosed polymeric micellar nanoparticle compositions.

Abstract: Methods for co-injection of a non-radioactive PSMA inhibitor, referred to herein as a competing inhibitor (CI), with a radiolabeled PSMA inhibitor are disclosed. This combination reduces the uptake of the radiotracer in non-target organs, including the kidneys and lacrimal glands, with only a modest reduction in tumor uptake.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods, reporter gene constructs, and kits for using prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) as an imaging reporter to image a variety of cells and tissues.

Abstract: Highly potent and selective radionuclide-based imaging and therapy agents targeting carbonic anhydrase IX with minimum non-specific organ uptake are disclosed. Methods of imaging and/or treating carbonic anhydrase IX-expressing cells or tumors also are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, reporter gene constructs, and kits for using prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) as an imaging reporter to image a variety of cells and tissues are provided.

Abstract: Provided are compounds generated by conjugation of triptolide with glucose to form glucose-triptolide conjugates, provides compounds with effective anti-proliferative activity and improved tolerability as compared to naturally occurring triptolide compounds.

Abstract: Provided are compounds generated by conjugation of triptolide with glucose to form glucose-triptolide conjugates, provides compounds with effective anti-proliferative activity and improved tolerability as compared to naturally occurring triptolide compounds.

Abstract: A DNA plasmid useful for diagnostic and therapeutic gene therapy is disclosed. Improvements to gene therapy methods known in the art are provided to ensure cancer-targeting, high efficacy, and long durability of expression. The DNA plasmid is combined with compositions of polymeric nanoparticles for non-viral gene therapy to treat cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma and prostate cancer.

Abstract: Highly potent and selective radionuclide-based imaging and therapy agents targeting carbonic anhydrase IX with minimum non-specific organ uptake are disclosed. Methods of imaging and/or treating carbonic anhydrase IX-expressing cells or tumors also are disclosed.

Abstract: A detectable substrate for aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) can be used for selecting cells that express ALDH. The detectable substrate can have a fluorescent moiety that has an excitation wavelength, an emission wavelength, or both, that does not overlap with the excitation wavelength, emission wavelength, or both, of green fluorescent protein.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a polymeric micellar nanoparticle composition comprising a block or graft copolymer comprising at least one polycationic polymer and at least one polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymer having an average molecular weight less than 1 kDa, and at least one nucleic acid, wherein the graft or block copolymer and at least one nucleic acid are complexed and condensed into a shaped micellar nanoparticle that is stable in biological media are disclosed. The presently disclosed subject matter also provides a method for preparing the presently disclosed polymeric micellar nanoparticle compositions, a method for targeting at least one metastatic cancer cell in a subject, and a method for treating a disease or condition using the presently disclosed polymeric micellar nanoparticle compositions.

Abstract: Highly potent and selective radionuclide-based imaging and therapy agents targeting carbonic anhydrase IX with minimum non-specific organ uptake are disclosed. Methods of imaging and/or treating carbonic anhydrase IX-expressing cells or tumors also are disclosed.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods, reporter gene constructs, and kits for using prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) as an imaging reporter to image a variety of cells and tissues.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a polymeric micellar nanoparticle composition comprising a block or graft copolymer comprising at least one polycationic polymer and at least one polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymer having an average molecular weight less than 1 kDa, and at least one nucleic acid, wherein the graft or block copolymer and at least one nucleic acid are complexed and condensed into a shaped micellar nanoparticle that is stable in biological media are disclosed. The presently disclosed subject matter also provides a method for preparing the presently disclosed polymeric micellar nanoparticle compositions, a method for targeting at least one metastatic cancer cell in a subject, and a method for treating a disease or condition using the presently disclosed polymeric micellar nanoparticle compositions.

Abstract: A detectable substrate for aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) can include a radiolabel. When acted upon by ALDH in an ALDH-expressing cell, e.g., cancer cells, the radiolabeled substrate accumulates in the ALDH-expressing cell. ALDH-expressing cells can be distinguished by the accumulated radioactivity. When combined with suitable imaging technique, the detectable substrate can be used for in vivo imaging of cancer cells.