Colloidal metal compositions and methods

Abstract

The present invention comprises compositions and methods for delivery systems of agents, including therapeutic compounds, pharmaceutical agents, drugs, detection agents, nucleic acid sequences and biological factors. In general, these vector compositions comprise a colloidal metal, derivatized PEG (polyethylene glycol) and an agent. The invention also comprises methods and compositions for making such colloidal metal compositions and for treatment of cancer.

1 . A vector composition, comprising, a colloidal metal particle, at least one agent, a targeting molecule and a PEG derivative. 
     
     
         2 . The vector composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a targeting molecule. 
     
     
         3 . The vector composition of  claim 1 , further comprising an integrating molecule. 
     
     
         4 . The vector composition of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one agent is TNF, tumor necrosis factor. 
     
     
         5 . The vector composition of  claim 1 , wherein the PEG derivative is a thiol derivative. 
     
     
         6 . The vector composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a component-specific immunostimulating molecule. 
     
     
         7 . The vector composition of  claim 6 , wherein the component-specific immunostimulating molecule comprises at least one of Interleukin-1 (“IL-1”), Interleukin-2 (“IL-2”), Interleukin-3 (“IL-3”), Interleukin-4 (“IL-4”), Interleukin-5 (“IL-5”), Interleukin-6 (“IL-6”), Interleukin-7 (“IL-7”), Interleukin-8 (“IL-8”), Interleukin-10 (“IL-10”), Interleukin-11 (“IL-11”), Interleukin-12 (“IL-12”), Interleukin-13 (“IL-13”), lipid A, phospholipase A2, endotoxins, staphylococcal enterotoxin B and other toxins, Type I Interferon, Type II Interferon, Tumor Necrosis Factor (“TNF-a”), Transforming Growth Factor-β (“TGF-β”) Lymphotoxin, Migration Inhibition Factor, Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (“CSF”), Monocyte-Macrophage CSF, Granulocyte CSF, vascular epithelial growth factor (“VEGF”), Angiogenin, transforming growth factor (“TGF-a”), heat shock proteins, carbohydrate moieties of blood groups, Rh factors, fibroblast growth factor, and other inflammatory and immune regulatory proteins, nucleotides, DNA, RNA, mRNA, sense, antisense, cancer cell specific antigens; such as MART, MAGE, BAGE, and HSPs; flt3 ligand/receptor system; B7 family of molecules and receptors; CD 40 ligand/receptor; and immunotherapy drugs, such as AZT; and angiogenic and anti-angiogenic drugs, such as angiostatin, endostatin, and basic fibroblast growth factor, or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). 
     
     
         8 . A method of delivering an agent, comprising, administering a vector composition to an organism, wherein the vector composition comprises a colloidal metal particle, at least one agent, and PEG derivative. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the composition further comprises a targeting molecule. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the composition further comprises an integrating molecule. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one agent is TNF, tumor necrosis factor. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the PEG derivative is a thiol derivative. 
     
     
         13 . A method for treating a solid tumor, comprising, administering to an organism having a solid tumor, a vector composition comprising a colloidal metal particle, at least one agent, and PEG derivative. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the composition further comprises a targeting molecule. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the composition further comprises an integrating molecule. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one agent is TNF, tumor necrosis factor. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the PEG derivative is a thiol derivative. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising administering an anti-cancer after administering the vector composition. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising administering an anti-cancer before administering the vector composition. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising administering an anti-cancer concomitantly administering the vector composition.