Methods in Molecular Imaging and Targeted Therapeutics

描述（由申请人提供）： 这个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，用于动脉粥样硬化病因学分子表位的敏感和特异性成像。统一的假设是，有针对性的分子成像与新的顺磁性全氟化碳乳剂纳米粒子造影剂可以描绘选定的动脉粥样硬化病变的分子特征，是早期病变生长和后期病变不稳定的关键决定因素。这些情况的无创和早期检测可以提高患者的管理，并可能降低心肌梗死和中风的发生率。长期目标是产生靶向纳米颗粒造影剂，其特征在于：1）取决于所选择的结合配体的灵活靶向选择，2）基于最适合所讨论的病理学的造影机制的灵活成像选择，和3）直接与局部纳米颗粒沉积的基于图像的定量相结合的治疗剂的局部递送的灵活机会。该技术有望实现各种病理的早期非侵入性检测，方便的连续门诊评估，以及临床指征的治疗药物的定点递送。稳定和安全的自组装纳米粒子将被开发，改进和测试，用于使用磁共振成像（MRI）可视化病理表位。参与研究和商业化的公司合作伙伴是Kereos公司，Philips Medical Systems、Bristol-Myers Squibb Medical Imaging和Dow Chemical。

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.