Method, compounds and preparations for the identification of sentinel lymph nodes

Abstract

The present invention relates methods for the identification of a sentinel lymph node and to compounds and preparations used in said methods.

1 . Method for the identification of a sentinel lymph node in a subject comprising 
 a) administering to said subject a preparation comprising microbubbles comprising a shell and a gas or gas precursor, said microbubbles having a mean particle size of about 0.25-15 μm in diameter and a pressure stability of at least 50% at a pressure of 120 mm Hg,    b) allowing said microbubbles to accumulate in said sentinel lymph node and    c) detecting said microbubbles in said sentinel lymph node using ultrasound.    
     
     
         2 . Method according to  claim 1  wherein the preparation is interstitially, preferably percutaneously, administered.  
     
     
         3 . Method according to  claim 1  and  2 , wherein the shell has an overall negative or positive net charge, preferably an overall negative net charge.  
     
     
         4 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the shell comprises lipids, preferably phospholipids.  
     
     
         5 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the shell comprises negatively charged phospholipids in an amount of from 50% to 100%.  
     
     
         6 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the microbubbles are stable for pressure variations associated with ultrasound imaging of a mechanical index of at least 0.2.  
     
     
         7 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the preparation further comprises a macrophage stimulating compound.  
     
     
         8 . Microbubbles for the identification of a sentinel lymph node comprising a shell and a gas or gas precursor and having a mean particle size of about 0.25-15 μm in diameter wherein said microbubbles have a pressure stability of at least 50% at a pressure of 120 mm Hg.  
     
     
         9 . Microbubbles according to  claim 8 , wherein the shell has an overall negative net charge.  
     
     
         10 . Microbubbles according to  claim 8 , wherein the shell comprises lipids, preferably phospholipids.  
     
     
         11 . Microbubbles according to  claim 8 , wherein the shell comprises negatively charged phospholipids in an amount of from 50% to 100%.  
     
     
         12 . Preparations for the identification of a sentinel lymph node comprising microbubbles according  claim 8 .  
     
     
         13 . Preparations according to  claim 12  further comprising a macrophage stimulating compound.  
     
     
         14 . Use of microbubbles according to  claim 8  for the manufacture of a preparation for the identification of a sentinel lymph node.