Multi-labeled material for in vivo cell tracking

描述（由申请人提供）：基于细胞的疗法正在迅速获得用于治疗多种疾病的认可。需要开发用于在体内非放射性追踪治疗细胞的标记物以测量递送系统的功效、生物分布和有效剂量。“体内测量技术”（IVST）是一种设计用于通过多种测量技术进行分析并能够容易地被细胞吸收的标记材料。IVST开始被科学家用于确定在临床前研究期间移植的细胞（如干细胞）的数量和位置。在第一阶段，成功地制备了结合中子活化分析、电子显微镜、荧光成像和磁共振成像的多检测纳米材料。该第二阶段申请寻求支持，以优化IVST材料对细胞的标记，证明所有测量都可以用新开发的IVST纳米颗粒进行，并比较可以将IVST颗粒靶向特定细胞类型的各种涂层。IVST将允许研究人员对以前不容易实现的细胞治疗方案进行分析，并获得急需的基本信息，以优化临床试验的成功。该项目将开发工具，使研究人员能够在很长一段时间内跟踪，识别和测量活体植入细胞的数量。这些工具将有助于我们了解特定的疾病过程。此外，这些工具对于评估基于细胞的疗法的有效性和安全性是必要的。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Cell-based therapies are rapidly gaining acceptance for use in treating a variety of diseases. The development of labels to non-radioactively track therapeutic cells in vivo is needed to measure the efficacy of delivery systems, bio-distribution and effective dose. In Vivo Survey Technology" (IVST) is a label material designed to be assayed by a number of measurement technologies and able to be readily taken up by cells. IVST is beginning to be used by scientists to determine the quantity and location of cells, such as stem cells, transplanted during preclinical research. In Phase I, multi-detection nano- materials were successfully prepared that combined neutron activation analysis, electron microscopy, fluorescent imaging and magnetic resonance imaging. This Phase II application seeks support to optimize the labeling of cells with IVST materials, to demonstrate that all measurements can be performed with the newly developed IVST nano-particles and to compare a variety of coatings that can target IVST particles to specific cell types. IVST will allow researchers to conduct analyses on cell therapy protocols not readily feasible previously and to obtain badly needed basic information to optimize for success in clinical trials. The project will develop tools that allow researchers to track, identify, and measure the amount of implanted cell in living subjects over long periods of time. These tools will aid our understanding of specific disease processes. In addition, these tools are necessary to evaluate the usefulness and safety of cell-based therapies.