Abstract: The present disclosure relates to polymers which contain a hydrophobic and hydrophilic segment which is sensitive to pH as well as a metal chelating group. In some aspects, the metal chelating group is chelated to a metal ion capable of positron emission. In some aspects, the polymers form a micelle which is sensitive to pH and results in a change in fluorescence based upon the particular pH. In some aspects, the disclosure also provides methods of using the polymers for the imaging of cellular or extracellular environment or delivering a drug.

Abstract: Provided herein are prodrugs comprising targeting moieties that specifically bind extracellular antigens, enzyme-cleavable linkers, and innate immune system activators. An enzyme-cleavable linker can covalently link a targeting moiety to an innate immune system activator. Also provided are methods of treating cancer, methods of imaging cancer, and methods of monitoring treatment of cancer.

Abstract: Provided herein are hypoxia inducible factor 2-alpha (HIF-2?)-specific radioactive tracers, methods of use thereof, and methods of synthesis thereof. Specifically, provided herein are HIF-2?-specific radioactive tracers comprising an HIF-2?-specific agent developed as a therapeutic inhibitor and a positron emitting radioactive label. Embodiments provide methods of detecting an HIF-2?-expressing tumor, detecting an HIF-2? inhibitor resistant tumor, evaluating a change in HIF-2? expression in response to an anti-cancer treatment, detecting acquisition of HIF-2? inhibitor resistance, evaluating efficacy of an HIF-2? depletion therapy, or detecting or monitoring an ischemic area in a subject. Also provided are methods of synthesizing an HIF-2?-specific radioactive tracer.

Abstract: Provided herein are hypoxia inducible factor 2-alpha (HIF-2?)-specific radioactive tracers, methods of use thereof, and methods of synthesis thereof. Specifically, provided herein are HIF-2?-specific radioactive tracers comprising an HIF-2?-specific agent developed as a therapeutic inhibitor and a positron emitting radioactive label. Embodiments provide methods of detecting an HIF-2?-expressing tumor, detecting an HIF-2? inhibitor resistant tumor, evaluating a change in HIF-2? expression in response to an anti-cancer treatment, detecting acquisition of HIF-2? inhibitor resistance, evaluating efficacy of an HIF-2? depletion therapy, detecting or monitoring an ischemic area in a subject, or detecting and monitoring pulmonary hypertension in a subject. Also provided are methods of synthesizing an HIF-2?-specific radioactive tracer.

Abstract: In one aspect, radioactive nanoparticles are described herein. In some embodiments, a radioactive nanoparticle described herein comprises a metal nanoparticle core, an outer metal shell disposed over the metal nanoparticle core, and a metallic radioisotope disposed within the metal nanoparticle core or within the outer metal shell. In some cases, the radioactive nanoparticle has a size of about 30-500 nm in three dimensions. In addition, in some embodiments, the radioactive nanoparticle further comprises an inner metal shell disposed between the metal nanoparticle core and the outer metal shell. The metal nanoparticle core, outer metal shell, and inner metal shell of the radioactive nanoparticle can have various metallic compositions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to polymers which contain a hydrophobic and hydrophilic segment which is sensitive to pH as well as a metal chelating group. In some aspects, the metal chelating group is chelated to a metal ion capable of positron emission. In some aspects, the polymers form a micelle which is sensitive to pH and results in a change in fluorescence based upon the particular pH. In some aspects, the disclosure also provides methods of using the polymers for the imaging of cellular or extracellular environment or delivering a drug.

Abstract: In one aspect, radioactive nanoparticles are described herein. In some embodiments, a radioactive nanoparticle described herein comprises a metal nanoparticle core, an outer metal shell disposed over the metal nanoparticle core, and a metallic radioisotope disposed within the metal nanoparticle core or within the outer metal shell. In some cases, the radioactive nanoparticle has a size of about 30-500 nm in three dimensions. In addition, in some embodiments, the radioactive nanoparticle further comprises an inner metal shell disposed between the metal nanoparticle core and the outer metal shell. The metal nanoparticle core, outer metal shell, and inner metal shell of the radioactive nanoparticle can have various metallic compositions.

Abstract: In one aspect, radioactive nanoparticles are described herein. In some embodiments, a radioactive nanoparticle described herein comprises a metal nanoparticle core, an outer metal shell disposed over the metal nanoparticle core, and a metallic radioisotope disposed within the metal nanoparticle core or within the outer metal shell. In some cases, the radioactive nanoparticle has a size of about 30-500 nm in three dimensions. In addition, in some embodiments, the radioactive nanoparticle further comprises an inner metal shell disposed between the metal nanoparticle core and the outer metal shell. The metal nanoparticle core, outer metal shell, and inner metal shell of the radioactive nanoparticle can have various metallic compositions.

Abstract: In some aspects, the present invention provides novel ligands, which may be used to make novel dual-modality imaging agents, for example, for PET and MRI imaging. In further aspects, by the present disclosure also provides methods of use and methods of preparation of the novel ligands, metal complexes, and imaging agents thereof.

Abstract: In one aspect, radioactive nanoparticles are described herein. In some embodiments, a radioactive nanoparticle described herein comprises a metal nanoparticle core, an outer metal shell disposed over the metal nanoparticle core, and a metallic radioisotope disposed within the metal nanoparticle core or within the outer metal shell. In some cases, the radioactive nanoparticle has a size of about 30-500 nm in three dimensions. In addition, in some embodiments, the radioactive nanoparticle further comprises an inner metal shell disposed between the metal nanoparticle core and the outer metal shell. The metal nanoparticle core, outer metal shell, and inner metal shell of the radioactive nanoparticle can have various metallic compositions.

Abstract: A functional biologically active particle conjugate useful for diagnosis and treating cancer as a bioportal comprises a nanoscale particle having associated therewith an intracellular targeting ligand comprising a PNA, or another nuclease resistant oligonucleotide analog such as MOE-mRNA (2?-methoxyethyl mRNA) or LNA (locked nucleic acid), having a sequence that binds selectively to an uniquely expressed or overexpressed mRNA specific to the cancer or disease state in a living mammal. In one aspect the uniquely overexpressed target specific to the cancer or disease state is the unr mRNA which can be targeted by the antisense sequence PNA50.

Abstract: Compositions, methods of using and methods of making a cyclic peptide analog imaging agent that includes at least portions of a peptide or protein that binds specifically to the GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) and the cyclic analog has one or more conformational restrictions including, but not limited to, lactam bridges, disulfide bridges, hydrocarbon bridges, and their combinations, salts and derivatives thereof wherein the cyclic analog is more stable than a non-cyclic analog when incubated in the presence of enzymes that degrade GLP-1 and have an increased serum half-live, wherein the cyclic analog comprises at least a portion of a GLP-1 peptide or at least a portion of an Exendin peptide salts, derivatives or combinations thereof.

Abstract: In some aspects, the present invention provides novel ligands, which may be used to make novel dual-modality imaging agents, for example, for PET and MRI imaging. In further aspects, by the present disclosure also provides methods of use and methods of preparation of the novel ligands, metal complexes, and imaging agents thereof.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is directed to a composition comprising a luminescent noble metal nanoparticle, wherein the surface of the noble metal nanoparticle is coated with a ligand, and wherein the noble metal nanoparticle is about 2 nm to 5 nm in diameter and further wherein a portion of the noble metal is present as its radioactive isotope. In an embodiment of the invention, the radioactive isotope is present at a concentration of up to 2% w/w of the noble metal.

Abstract: A functional biologically active particle conjugate useful for diagnosis and treating cancer as a bioportal comprises a nanoscale particle having associated therewith an intracellular targeting ligand comprising a PNA, or another nuclease resistant oligonucleotide analog such as MOE-mRNA (2?-methoxyethyl mRNA) or LNA (locked nucleic acid), having a sequence that binds selectively to an uniquely expressed or overexpressed mRNA specific to the cancer or disease state in a living mammal. In one aspect the uniquely overexpressed target specific to the cancer or disease state is the unr mRNA which can be targeted by the antisense sequence PNA50.

Abstract: A functional biologically active particle conjugate useful for diagnosis and treating cancer as a bioportal comprises a nanoscale particle having associated therewith an intracellular targeting ligand comprising a PNA, or another nuclease resistant oligonucleotide analog such as MOE-mRNA (2?-methoxyethyl mRNA) or LNA (locked nucleic acid), having a sequence that binds selectively to an uniquely expressed or overexpressed mRNA specific to the cancer or disease state in a living mammal. In one aspect the uniquely overexpressed target specific to the cancer or disease state is the unr mRNA which can be targeted by the antisense sequence PNA50.

Abstract: Compositions, methods of using and methods of making a cyclic peptide analog imaging agent that includes at least portions of a peptide or protein that binds specifically to the GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) and the cyclic analog has one or more conformational restrictions including, but not limited to, lactam bridges, disulfide bridges, hydrocarbon bridges, and their combinations, salts and derivatives thereof wherein the cyclic analog is more stable than a non-cyclic analog when incubated in the presence of enzymes that degrade GLP-1 and have an increased serum half-live, wherein the cyclic analog comprises at least a portion of a GLP-1 peptide or at least a portion of an Exendin peptide salts, derivatives or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for imaging and the treatment of cancer. In certain embodiments, a polyarginine (e.g., R11) may be used to selectively image prostate or bladder cells (e.g., a metastatic prostate cancer). In other embodiments, a DOC-2/DAB2 peptide, optionally conjugated to a cell permeable peptide (e.g., R11) may be used to treat a cancer, such as prostate cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for imaging and the treatment of cancer. In certain embodiments, a polyarginine (e.g., R11) may be used to selectively image prostate or bladder cells (e.g., a metastatic prostate cancer). In other embodiments, a DOC-2/DAB2 peptide, optionally conjugated to a cell permeable peptide (e.g., R11) may be used to treat a cancer, such as prostate cancer.

Abstract: A III-V semiconductor waveguide is coupled with a Si waveguide to form a hybrid structure. Spatial location of the optical mode (or supermode) of the hybrid structure is controlled by controlling at least one between the geometry and the refractive index of the structure, e.g., varying width of the Si waveguide. Control of such spatial location allows location of the optical mode either almost entirely in the III-V semiconductor waveguide or almost entirely in the Si waveguide, thus allowing various optical arrangements to be obtained according to the location of the optical mode and the proprieties of the waveguides.