Methods in Molecular Imaging and Targeted Therapeutics

描述(由申请人提供)： 生物医学研究伙伴关系(BRP)应用的广泛主题是开发新的多维纳米技术，用于敏感和特异地对导致动脉粥样硬化的分子表位进行成像。统一的假设是，使用新型顺磁性全氟化碳乳剂纳米颗粒造影剂的靶向分子成像可以描绘动脉粥样硬化病变的特定分子特征，这些特征是早期病变生长和后期病变不稳定的关键决定因素。这些情况的非侵入性和早期检测可以加强患者管理，并有可能减少心肌梗死和中风的发生率。长期目标是生产一种靶向纳米颗粒造影剂，其特征是：1)根据所选择的结合配体的灵活的靶向选择，2)基于最适合所述病理的对比剂机制的灵活的成像选择，以及3)局部给药的灵活机会，与直接基于图像的局部纳米颗粒沉积的定量相结合。这项技术有望实现对各种病理的早期非侵入性检测，方便的连续门诊评估，并根据临床指示进行靶向治疗。稳定和安全的自组装纳米颗粒将被开发、提炼和测试，以利用磁共振成像(MRI)对病理表位进行可视化。参与这项研究和打算商业化的公司合作伙伴包括Kereos公司、飞利浦医疗系统公司、百时美施贵宝医疗成像公司和陶氏化学公司。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The broad subject of this Biomedical Research Partnership (BRP) application is the development of novel multidimensional nanotechnologies for sensitive and specific imaging of molecular epitopes that are etiologic for atherosclerosis. The unifying hypothesis is that targeted molecular imaging with novel paramagnetic perfluorocarbon emulsion nanoparticle contrast agents can delineate selected molecular features of atherosclerotic lesions that are critical determinants of early lesion growth and later lesion instability. Noninvasive and early detection of these situations could enhance patient management and potentially reduce the incidence of myocardial infarction and stroke. The long-range goal is to produce a targeted nanoparticle contrast agent characterized by: 1) flexible targeting options depending on the binding ligand selected, 2) flexible imaging choices based on contrast mechanism best suited to the pathology in question, and 3) flexible opportunities for local delivery of therapeutic agents coupled directly with image-based quantification of local nanoparticle deposition. The technology is expected to enable early noninvasive detection of a variety of pathologies, convenient serial outpatient evaluation, and site-targeted delivery of therapeutics as clinically indicated. Stable and safe self-assembling nanoparticles will be developed, refined, and tested for visualization of pathological epitopes with the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Corporate partners who are involved in the research and intended commercialization are Kereos, Inc., Philips Medical Systems, Bristol-Myers Squibb Medical Imaging, and Dow Chemical.