Paramagnetic polymerized protein microspheres and methods of preparation thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition that includes gadolinium particles encapsulated in microsphere shells. The composition is suitable for use as a contrast agent with a plurality of imaging modalities, including, for example, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed temography. The compositions also are useful for therapeutic applications, including neutron capture therapy.

1 . A composition for use in vivo during neutron capture therapy comprising a gadolinium particle or a gadolinium compound particle encapsulated in a microsphere shell.  
     
     
         2 . A composition in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the microsphere shell is spherical.  
     
     
         3 . A composition in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the gadolinium compound particle is gadolinium oxide.  
     
     
         4 . A composition in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the microsphere shell includes a protein substance.  
     
     
         5 . A composition in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the microsphere shell includes a composition that is selected from the group consisting of bovine serum albumin, human serum albumin, lipids, liposomes, pepsin, gelatin, dextrose, dextrose-albumin, conjugated antibodies, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         6 . A method of neutron capture therapy for treating cancerous cells comprising administering to a patient a composition to a predetermined area containing the cancerous cells, the composition including a plurality of gadolinium particles or gadolinium compound particles encapsulated in microsphere shells, and applying a source of thermal neutron irradiation to the predetermined area in a manner effective for causing the gadolinium particles or gadolinium compound particles to release radiation for treating the cancerous cells.