Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for stimulating an immune response using cationic lipids alone or in combination with antigens.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method and system for detecting kinase activity, comprising: providing one or more mutated kinases, wherein the one or more mutated kinases comprise a mutation that enlarges an ATP binding pocket of the kinase; contacting the one or more mutated kinases with an ATP or ADP analog-nanoparticle conjugate capable of intracellular delivery of the ATP or ADP analog-nanoparticle conjugate, wherein the ATP or ADP analog comprises a detectable label; assaying the one or more mutated kinases under conditions in which the ATP or ADP analog-nanoparticle conjugate contacts the one or more mutated kinases, wherein the one or more kinases react to transfer the detectable label to the substrate, wherein the ATP analog only fluoresces upon contact with the ATP binding pocket of the kinase.

Abstract: A composition and method for activating immune cells ex-vivo, or inducing an immune response in a subject including a composition comprising at least one chiral cationic lipid. The chiral cationic lipid in one embodiment comprises a nonsteroidal cationic lipid having a structure represented by formula (I); wherein in R1 is a quaternary ammonium group, Y1 is a space chosen from a hydrocarbon chain, an ester, a ketone, and a peptide, C* is a chiral carbon, R2 and R3 are independently chosen from a saturated fatty acid, an unsaturated fatty acid, an ester-linked hydrocarbon, phosphor-diesters, and combination thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for the delivery of a combination of oxiplatin and folinic acid to a cell, tissue, or physiological site. The compositions comprise delivery system complexes comprising liposomes encapsulating dihydrate(1,2-diaminocyclohexane)platinum(II)-folinic acid or delivery system complexes comprising a 5-fluorouracil active metabolite. Also provided herein are methods for the treatment of cancer, wherein the methods comprise administering the delivery system complexes comprising dihydrate(1,2-diaminocyclohexane)platinum(II)-folinic acid or delivery system complexes comprising a 5-fluorouracil active metabolite that have therapeutic activity against the cancer.

Abstract: The present invention includes method and system for detecting kinase activity in vivo, comprising: providing a cell that comprises one or more mutated kinases, wherein the one or more mutated kinases comprise a mutation that enlarges an ATP binding pocket of the kinase; contacting the cell with an ATP analog-nanoparticle conjugate capable of intracellular delivery of the ATP analog-nanoparticle conjugate, wherein the ATP analog comprises a detectable label; culturing the cells under conditions in which the ATP analog-nanoparticle conjugate contacts the one or more mutated kinases in cellulo, wherein the detectable label is transferred from the ATP analog-nanoparticle conjugate to a substrate of the one or more mutated kinases, wherein the one or more kinases react to transfer the detectable label to the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed are micellar formulations comprising a synergistic combination of quercetin and alantolactone and their use for treating a cancer, including microsatellite-stable colorectal cancer (CRC), which otherwise is resistant to immunotherapy. The combination of quercetin and alantolactone was found to induce synergistic immunogenic cell death (ICD) at synergistic ratiometric micellar loadings.

Abstract: Disclosed are nanoemulsions comprising puerarin and methods of their use in treating cancer, including breast cancer and melanoma. The presently disclosed puerarin-containing nanoemulsions regulate the tumor microenvironment and importantly de-activate tumor associated fibroblasts (TAFs) rather than killing them. The presently disclosed methods can be used in combination with chemotherapy, e.g., polymer formulations of paclitaxel, or PD-L1 blockade therapy to treat cancer.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein is directed to methods of modifying the micro-environment of a target cell or The methods comprise systemically administering to a subject a composition comprising a vector, wherein the vector comprises a construct for the expression of a trap in the target cell, wherein the trap is expressed in the target cell thereby modifying the micro-environment. Also described herein are methods of reducing metastasis of a cancer comprising, systemically administering to a subject suffering from the cancer, a composition comprising a vector, wherein the vector comprises a construct for the expression of a trap, wherein the trap is delivered to and then expressed in tissue susceptible to metastasis, wherein metastasis of the cancer to the tissue is reduced. Compositions for carrying out the methods are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for stimulating an immune response using cationic lipids alone or in combination with antigens.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein is directed to methods of modifying the micro-environment of a target cell or The methods comprise systemically administering to a subject a composition comprising a vector, wherein the vector comprises a construct for the expression of a trap in the target cell, wherein the trap is expressed in the target cell thereby modifiying the micro-environment. Also described herein are methods of reducing metastasis of a cancer comprising, systemically administering to a subject suffering from the cancer, a composition comprising a vector, wherein the vector comprises a construct for the expression of a trap, wherein the trap is delivered to and then expressed in tissue susceptible to metastasis, wherein metastasis of the cancer to the tissue is reduced. Compositions for carrying out the methods are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for stimulating an immune response using cationic lipids alone or in combination with antiigens.

Abstract: A composition and method for activating immune cells ex-vivo, or inducing an immune response in a subject including a composition comprising at least one chiral cationic lipid. The chiral cationic lipid in one embodiment comprises a nonsteroidal cationic lipid having a structure represented by formula (I); wherein in R1 is a quaternary ammonium group, Y1 is a space chosen from a hydrocarbon chain, an ester, a ketone, and a peptide, C* is a chiral carbon, R2 and R3 are independently chosen from a saturated fatty acid, an unsaturated fatty acid, an ester-linked hydrocarbon, phosphor-diesters, and combination thereof.

Abstract: A composition and method for activating immune cells ex-vivo, or inducing an immune response in a subject including a composition comprising at least one chiral cationic lipid. The chiral cationic lipid in one embodiment comprises a nonsteroidal cationic lipid having a structure represented by formula (I); wherein in R1 is a quaternary ammonium group, Y1 is a space chosen from a hydrocarbon chain, an ester, a ketone, and a peptide, C* is a chiral carbon, R2 and R3 are independently chosen from a saturated fatty acid, an unsaturated fatty acid, an ester-linked hydrocarbon, phosphor-diesters, and combination thereof.

Abstract: A composition and method for activating immune cells ex-vivo, or inducing an immune response in a subject including a composition comprising at least one chiral cationic lipid. The chiral cationic lipid in one embodiment comprises a nonsteroidal cationic lipid having a structure represented by formula (I); wherein in R1 is a quaternary ammonium group, Y1 is a spacer chosen from a hydrocarbon chain, an ester, a ketone, and a peptide, C* is a chiral carbon, R2 and R3 are independently chosen from a saturated fatty acid, an unsaturated fatty acid, an ester-linked hydrocarbon, phosphor-diesters, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A medical nanoparticle includes a core, an outer lipid layer, an inner lipid layer, a photosensitizer, and a nucleic acid. The core includes a bio-degradable ionic precipitate (BIP). The inner lipid layer is between the core and the outer lipid layer. The photosensitizer is between the inner lipid layer and the outer lipid layer, and the nucleic acid is at the surface of the core.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for the delivery of bioactive compounds to a cell, tissue, or physiological site. The compositions comprise delivery system complexes comprising liposomes encapsulating a biodegradable ionic precipitate having incorporated therein a bioactive compound and delivery system complexes comprising a biodegradable ionic precipitate ionically bound to a surrounding lipid bilayer, wherein the biodegradable ionic precipitate comprises a bioactive compound. Also provided herein are methods for the treatment of a disease or an unwanted condition in a subject, wherein the methods comprise administering the delivery system complexes comprising bioactive compounds that have therapeutic activity against the disease or unwanted condition to the subject.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein is directed to methods of modifying the micro-environment of a target cell or The methods comprise systemically administering to a subject a composition comprising a vector, wherein the vector comprises a construct for the expression of a trap in the target cell, wherein the trap is expressed in the target cell thereby modifiying the micro-environment. Also described herein are methods of reducing metastasis of a cancer comprising, systemically administering to a subject suffering from the cancer, a composition comprising a vector, wherein the vector comprises a construct for the expression of a trap, wherein the trap is delivered to and then expressed in tissue susceptible to metastasis, wherein metastasis of the cancer to the tissue is reduced. Compositions for carrying out the methods are also described.

Abstract: Provided herein are polymers comprising Metformin residues (“PolyMet”) as useful therapeutic agents, delivery vehicles and transfection agents for nucleotides. Also provided herein are methods for the treatment of a disease or an unwanted condition in a subject, wherein the methods comprise administering PolyMet as a therapeutic agent to combat the disease or condition. Also provided herein are methods for the treatment of a disease or an unwanted condition in a subject, wherein the methods comprise administering a therapeutic agent in a delivery vehicle that comprises PolyMet. Further provided herein are methods for making PolyMet.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for the delivery of bioactive compounds to a cell, tissue, or physiological site. The compositions comprise delivery system complexes comprising liposomes encapsulating a biodegradable ionic precipitate having incorporated therein a bioactive compound and delivery system complexes comprising a biodegradable ionic precipitate ionically bound to a surrounding lipid bilayer, wherein the biodegradable ionic precipitate comprises a bioactive compound. Also provided herein are methods for the treatment of a disease or an unwanted condition in a subject, wherein the methods comprise administering the delivery system complexes comprising bioactive compounds that have therapeutic activity against the disease or unwanted condition to the subject.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for the delivery of bioactive compounds to a cell, tissue, or physiological site. The compositions comprise delivery system complexes comprising liposomes encapsulating a biodegradable ionic precipitate having incorporated therein a bioactive compound and delivery system complexes comprising a biodegradable ionic precipitate ionically bound to a surrounding lipid bilayer, wherein the biodegradable ionic precipitate comprises a bioactive compound. Also provided herein are methods for the treatment of a disease or an unwanted condition in a subject, wherein the methods comprise administering the delivery system complexes comprising bioactive compounds that have therapeutic activity against the disease or unwanted condition to the subject.