The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc.

Dana-farber-cancer Institute Inc.

Northeastern University

Wilfred F Ngwa

Gerassimos M Makrigiorgos

Srinivas Sridhar

Rajiv Kumar

Robert Cormack

Stephanie Dougan

The present disclosure relates to the isolation, preservation, compositions and uses of extracts from a newly discovered species ofplants. The present disclosure also relates to compositions comprising the extracts of the new species ofplant, as well as methods of producing and using such compositions for treating blood disorders and/or for other health, food and industrial uses.

Isolation, preservation, compositions and uses of extracts from justicia plants

Methods and systems for radiation therapy involve administering a payload/combination of biocompatible high-Z and semiconductor NPs to tissue, such as a tumor or an eye. Ionizing radiation may be directed towards the payload, and ionized electrons generate Cerenkov radiation (CR). The CR interacts with semiconductor NPs to produce chemical species that are damaging to cells. The payload may be administered via injection or via a radiotherapy (RT) device that includes NPs in a biodegradable polymer matrix. Biodegradation of the polymer matrix, which results in release of its payload, may be remotely activated using, for example, electromagnetic or sound waves. The payload may include one or more immunologic adjuvants capable of promoting an immunologic response at remote sites (such as a metastatic tumors) that are separate from the site at which the NPs and adjuvants were administered.

Systems, methods, and biomaterials for radiation therapy

Compositions and methods for the radiological and immunotherapeutic treatment of cancer are provided. Metallic nanoparticles conjugated with an immunoadjuvant are dispersed within a biodegradable polymer matrix that can be implanted in a patient and released gradually. The implant may be configured as, or be a component of, brachytherapy spacers and applicators, or radiotherapy fiducial markers. The composition may be combined with marginless radiotherapy, allowing for lower doses of radiation and enhancing the immune response against cancer, including at non-irradiated sites.

Biomaterials for combined radiotherapy and immunotherapy of cancer

A method of detecting migration of tumor cells is provided by implanting in a region of tumor cells one or more implants having a matrix material of a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer, and a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed within the matrix material and functionalized to bind tumor cells. Nanoparticles bound to the tumor cells that have migrated out of the region can be detected by various imaging modalities. The implant can be in the shape of a brachytherapy spacer or radiotherapy fiducial maker or can be a coating on a brachytherapy spacer or fiducial marker. A method of treating cancer is provided by implanting one or more brachytherapy spacers or fiducial markers including the matrix material and an anti-cancer therapeutic agent dispersed within the matrix material.

Growing community of inventors

Framingham, MA, United States of America

Wilfred F Ngwa