Johns Hopkins University

University System of Maryland

Florin M Selaru

David H Gracias

Anthony Nicolas Kalloo

Stephen J Meltzer

Mouen A Khashab

Evin Gultepe

George L Coles

Honggang Cui

Stephen John Gould

Ling Li

Joyce Breger

Described are devices for treating disease in subjects wherein the devices include a sponge comprising a hydrogel, extracellular vesicles (EVs), and an agent. Methods of using the devices to treat or prevent disease such as esophageal adenocarcinoma are also described.

Device and method to treat esophageal disorders

The present invention utilizes tetherless microtools to biopsy tissue. The invention provides a device and method for deployment and retrieval of tetherless microtools. The size of the microtools ensures that tissue damage at a site targeted for biopsy is negligible. As such, large numbers of microtools may be deployed ensuring that a true statistical sampling of biologic tissue is performed.

Method and device for statistical tissue sampling using microdevices

The present invention relates to the field of extracellular vesicles. More specifically, the present invention provides methods and compositions for using extracellular vesicles as a vector for nucleic acid treatment in vivo of various diseases. In a specific embodiment, the present invention provides an extracellular vesicle isolated from a cell comprising one or more microRNAs (miRNAs) that have been loaded ex vivo into the vesicle so that the miRNAs are present in a higher concentration than when measured in the same extracellular vesicle isolated directly from the cell. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for treating cholangiocarcinoma in a subject comprising the step of administering to the subject a plurality of exosomes comprising miR-195.

Extracellular vesicles for agent delivery

The presently disclosed delivery systems utilize microtools, also referred to as theragrippers, to deliver a drug or other therapeutic agent to targeted tissue. More particularly, the drug delivery system and methods provide a delivery system that is capable of anchoring to a tissue site and then delivering a drug or therapeutic agent to the tissue directly to or in the vicinity of the site over an extended period of time. Any number of theragrippers may be deployed as desired to deliver different doses of a desired drug or therapeutic agent. The theragrippers also can be biodegradable such that they remain in place for an extended period of time and then degrade without adversely affecting the surrounding tissue.

Self-actuating chemomechanical devices for delivery and extended release of therapeutic agents in the gastrointestinal tract

The present invention is directed to methods for diagnosing cancer in a subject. Morphologically normal epithelial cells of the esophagus are assayed for marker expression. Characteristic expression of the markers indicates the presence of cancer or the predisposition to cancer. A panel of eleven markers are particularly good at identifying cancer and the predisposition to cancer.

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Catonsville, MD, United States of America

Florin M Selaru