abstract |
In one embodiment, a biotag for targeting a cancer biomarker is provided. The biotag may include a cancer biomarker binding domain, an internalization domain, an endosomal escape domain, a lysosomal escape domain, a reporter binding domain, and a reporter, wherein the reporter is a diagnostic agent. In some aspects, the cancer biomarker is ERBB 1-4, EGFRvIII or Transferrin Receptor (TfR). In other aspects, the binding domain is an scFv, an sdFv, a CDR or an SDR modified CDR. In some aspects, the reporter binding domain is a metal binding domain, which may be chelated to a metal nanoparticle tag. In some aspects, the metal nanoparticle tag is a noble metal, a superparamagnetic metal, a core-shell nanoparticle, or a fluorescent agent. In another embodiment, a targeted contrast composition for use with a diagnostic imaging technique is provided, which includes a contrast agent and a biotag for targeting a cancer biomarker. |