USE OF NON-METALLIC CEST AGENTS FOR MRI MONITORING OF NANOPARTICLE DELIVERY

摘要

The present invention includes drug-loaded, polymer nanoparticles and liposomes further incorporating a non-paramagnetic, bioorganic CEST agent. The CEST agent allows for an alternative approach to accomplish MR-compatible in vivo tracking of drug-loaded polymer nanoparticles and liposomes, including simultaneous multi-color mapping of more than one particle type, or of the same particle type delivered via two different routes (e.g., systemic versus local). Additionally, the present invention can include a library of biodegradable diamagnetic (DIA)CEST agents. These DIACEST agents can be incorporated into nanoparticle-based delivery systems, such as stealth liposomes loaded with doxorubicin and stealth polymer nanoparticles loaded with paclitaxel. These systems can be tracked, according to an embodiment of the present invention using CEST-based MRI (compared to SPECT/CT) as a method to monitor the efficiency with which the nanoparticles reach the targeted tumors and how long they persist. Measured particle persistence times are also used to guide the spacing between doses.

主权项

1. An agent for use in conjunction with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging comprising:
a biocompatible chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) agent, said biocompatible CEST agent being configured to create contrast in an MR image, wherein the contrast is detectable using a saturation transfer CEST method of MR imaging; a drug delivery system; a therapeutic agent; and wherein the biodegradable CEST agent, the drug delivery system, and therapeutic agent are combined to form a particle.