Direct Utilization of Plasma Proteins for the In Vivo Assembly of Protein-Drug/Imaging Agent Conjugates, Nanocarriers and Coatings for Biomaterials

Abstract

The present invention includes compositions and methods for making and using a drug conjugated to a peptide or protein that binds specifically to a ligand in vivo, wherein the conjugate binds to its ligand in vivo and increases the half-life of the drug.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A composition comprising a drug conjugated to a molecular recognition element that binds specifically to a ligand in vivo, wherein the conjugate binds to its ligand in vivo and increases the half-life of the drug. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein the ligand comprises a serum protein, a cell surface, a cancer, or a tissue. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein the drug and the binding peptide or protein are conjugated by a biodegradable linker. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein the drug and the binding peptide or protein are conjugated by a cleavable linker. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein the drug and the binding peptide or protein are conjugated by a stimuli-responsive cleavable linker. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein the binding peptide or protein binds to its ligand with an affinity greater than 100 nM. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein the binding peptide or protein is multimeric and generates plasma protein-based nanoparticles in vivo. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein the binding peptide or protein directs assembly of a protective protein coat to the surface of nanoparticles in vivo. 
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein the binding peptide or protein binds a biomaterial surface and directs protein opsonization to the biomaterials surface. 
     
     
         19 . A composition comprising a drug conjugated to a peptide or protein that binds specifically to a ligand in vivo, wherein the conjugate binds to its ligand in vivo and increases the half-life of the drug. 
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 19 , wherein the ligand comprises a serum protein, a cell surface, a cancer, or a tissue. 
     
     
         21 . The composition of  claim 19 , wherein the drug and the binding peptide or protein are conjugated by a biodegradable linker. 
     
     
         22 . The composition of  claim 19 , wherein the drug and the binding peptide or protein are conjugated by a cleavable linker. 
     
     
         23 . The composition of  claim 19 , wherein the drug and the binding peptide or protein are conjugated by a stimuli-responsive cleavable linker. 
     
     
         24 . The composition of  claim 19 , wherein the binding peptide or protein binds to its ligand with an affinity greater than 100 nM. 
     
     
         25 . The composition of  claim 19 , wherein the binding peptide or protein is multimeric and generates plasma protein-based nanoparticles in vivo. 
     
     
         26 . The composition of  claim 19 , wherein the binding peptide or protein directs assembly of a protective protein coat to the surface of nanoparticles in vivo. 
     
     
         27 . The composition of  claim 19 , wherein the binding peptide or protein binds a biomaterial surface and directs protein opsonization to the biomaterials surface. 
     
     
         28 - 37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . A composition made by the method comprising: selecting a ligand for targeting the delivery of a drug in vivo comprising identifying a ligand, isolating a ligand-specific molecular recognition element specific for the ligand, wherein the molecular recognition element is capable of binding to the ligand in vivo, and attaching a drug to the molecular recognition element.