pH-Responsive Theranostic Polymer-Caged Nanobins (PCNs): Enhanced Cytotoxicity and MRI Contrast by Her2-Targeting.

comprises a doxorubicin (DXR)-loaded liposomal core and an acid-sensitive polymer shell that is functionalized with Herceptin and Gd-based MRI contrast agents. In vitro testing reveals a 14-fold increase in DXR-based cytotoxicity versus a non-targeted analogue and an 120-fold improvement in cellular Gd-uptake in comparison with clinically approved DOTA-Gd, leading to significant MRI contrast enhancement.

Anticancer activity of small-molecule and nanoparticulate arsenic(III) complexes.

Starting in ancient China and Greece, arsenic-containing compounds have been used in the treatment of disease for over 3000 years. They were used for a variety of diseases in the 20th century, including parasitic and sexually transmitted illnesses. A resurgence of interest in the therapeutic application of arsenicals has been driven by the discovery that low doses of a 1% aqueous solution of arsenic trioxide (i.

Urokinase plasminogen activator system-targeted delivery of nanobins as a novel ovarian cancer therapy.

The urokinase system is overexpressed in epithelial ovarian cancer cells and is expressed at low levels in normal cells. To develop a platform for intracellular and targeted delivery of therapeutics in ovarian cancer, we conjugated urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) antibodies to liposomal nanobins. The arsenic trioxide-loaded nanobins had favorable physicochemical properties and the ability to bind specifically to uPA.

The many spaces of uPAR: delivery of theranostic agents and nanobins to multiple tumor compartments through a single target.

The urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) system is a proteolytic system comprised of uPA, a cell surface receptor for uPA (uPAR), and an inhibitor of uPA (PAI-1) and is implicated in many aspects of tumor growth and metastasis. The uPA system has been identified in nearly all solid tumors examined to date as well as several hematological malignancies. In adults, transient expression of the uPA system is observed during wound healing and inflammatory processes while only limited expression is identified in healthy, quiescent tissue.

Chemical sensing and imaging with metallic nanorods.

In this Feature Article, we examine recent advances in chemical analyte detection and optical imaging applications using gold and silver nanoparticles, with a primary focus on our own work. Noble metal nanoparticles have exciting physical and chemical properties that are entirely different from the bulk. For chemical sensing and imaging, the optical properties of metallic nanoparticles provide a wide range of opportunities, all of which ultimately arise from the collective oscillations of conduction band electrons ("plasmons") in response to external electromagnetic radiation.

pH-triggered assembly of gold nanorods.

The self-assembly of surfactant-protected gold nanorods (aspect ratio 3.3 +/- 0.3, 20.