Nanotubes for cancer therapy and diagnostics

Abstract

The present invention provides a novel approach to cancer therapy and diagnostics that utilizes nanotubes and other similar nanostructures as both an indirect source of radiation therapy (BNCT), and as delivery vehicles for other types of radio- and chemo-therapeutic materials, as well as imaging agents for diagnostic purposes.

1 . A method of boron neutron capture therapy comprising:
 administering to a mammalian subject BN nanostructures; and   using the BN nanostructures as a source of boron in boron neutron capture therapy.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said BN nanostructures are BN nanotubes and are attached to at least one cell-targeting species. 
     
     
         3 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the cell targeting species is an antibody. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the antibody is a tumor cloned antibody. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the antibody is an IgG antibody. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the cell targeting species is an aptamer. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the cell targeting species is a peptide. 
     
     
         27 . A method of boron neutron capture therapy comprising:
 administering to a cancer cell BN nanostructures; and   administering a beam of neutrons to the cancer cell.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the cancer cell is part of a tumor. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the BN nanostructures are attached to at least one cell targeting species. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the at least one cell targeting species is an antibody, an aptamer, a peptide, a small molecule or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the BN nanostructures are BN nanotubes. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the BN nanostructures are encapsulated by a biopolymer. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the biopolymer is chitosan. 
     
     
         34 . A method of boron neutron capture therapy comprising:
 administering to a cancer cell at least one BN nanostructure;   administering a beam of neutrons to the cancer cell   using the BN nanostructures as a source of boron in boron neutron capture therapy.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the boron is  10 B. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the at least one BN nanostructure is a BN nanotube, a BN nanoscroll, a BN nanofibril, a BN nanovessel, a BN nanocontainer or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the at least one BN nanostructures is attached to at least one cell targeting species. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the at least one cell targeting species is an antibody, an aptamer, a peptide, a small molecule or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the BN nanostructure is encapsulated.