Production and characterization of a novel long-acting Herceptin-targeted nanobubble contrast agent specific for XXXX -positive @entity0 .

@entity5 @entity7171 @entity19 @entity0
BACKGROUND: There is an unmet need for specific and sensitive imaging techniques to assess the efficacy of @entity0 therapy, particularly @entity7171 -expressing @entity5 . Ultrasonic microbubbles are being developed for use as diagnostic and therapeutic tools. However, nanobubbles circulate longer, are smaller, and diffuse into extravascular tissue to specifically bind target molecules. Here, we characterize a novel Herceptin-conjugated nanobubble for use against @entity7171 -expressing @entity5 . METHODS: Phospholipid-shelled nanobubbles conjugated with Herceptin (NBs-Her) were fabricated using a thin-film hydration method and characterized in vitro in @entity0 cell lines and in vivo in a @entity19 model. RESULTS: The average size of the unconjugated nanobubbles (NBs-Blank) and NBs-Her was 447.1      18.4 and 613.0      25.4  nm, respectively. In cell culture, the NBs-Her adhered to @entity7171 -positive cells significantly better than to @entity7171 -negative cells (p  <  0.05). In vivo, the peak intensity and the half-time to washout of the NBs-Her were significantly greater than those of the NBs-Blank (p  <  0.05). In addition, contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging quality was improved through the use of the NBs-Her. The nanobubbles were able to penetrate into @entity5 tissue to allow extravascular imaging, but did not penetrate normal skeletal muscle. CONCLUSIONS: The Herceptin-conjugated nanobubble had many properties that made it useful for in vivo imaging, including longer circulation time and better @entity5 selectivity. This platform may be able to provide targeted delivery of therapeutic drugs or genes.
