# Optimized and accessible immuno-PET using lipid nanoparticle-mediated in vivo bioreactor

> **NIH NIH R21** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2024 · $249,861

## Abstract

Immune-mediated positron emission tomography (immunoPET) is an emerging imaging technique that enables
non-invasive in vivo pathology assessment, analogous to what is commonly used in immunohistology. This is
enabled by imaging of radiolabeled antibodies or antibody fragments. However, current immunoPET
approaches, including pre-targeted strategies, suffer from relatively poor signal-to-background ratio, in part
because of the suboptimal pharmacokinetics of the imaging probes used. Moreover, widespread clinical
translation of current immunoPET technologies is hampered by the complexity of manufacturing individual
probes, supply chain constraints, and the complex workflow requiring patients to present to the hospital
multiple times in strict coordination for any individual immunoPET study. In this Trailblazer proposal, we posit
that lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology can be harnessed for immunoPET to address several of the outlined
concerns. Extensive advances in LNP-mRNA now enable patients to be transient in vivo bioreactors for
therapeutic protein production, including antibodies and antibody fragments, offering an opportunity to improve
the kinetics of a protein-based imaging agent. Furthermore, LNP can be delivered via several routes that
potentially enable administration at a local pharmacy or even by self-administration. The purpose of this
Trailblazer proposal is to establish LNP-immunoPET as a viable platform for clinical molecular imaging. We will
assess the ability of LNP-mRNA to synthesize imageable antibody-based probes through radiohapten
interactions. Furthermore, we will assess the relationship of LNP administration route on the viability of the
LNP-immunoPET approach. If successful, LNP-immunoPET will offer a revolutionary strategy that will advance
the capability of immunoPET and extend the reach of molecular imaging and therapeutics for our patient
population.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10949508
- **Project number:** 1R21EB036323-01
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Sheung Chee Thomas Ng
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $249,861
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-07-11 → 2027-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10949508

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10949508, Optimized and accessible immuno-PET using lipid nanoparticle-mediated in vivo bioreactor (1R21EB036323-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10949508. Licensed CC0.

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