Positron emission tomography (PET) is a highly sensitive, noninvasive method for the detection of cancer.  Although the technique is generally available in major oncology clinics, its usefulness is nonetheless restricted by limitations in radiolabeling methodology.  PET makes predominant use of the positron-emitting fluorine isotope ¹⁸F.  Currently, the only practical vehicle for clinical application of ¹⁸F in PET is 2-¹⁸F-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG), which is taken up by many types of tumor cells.  The exclusive use of FDG however limits the types of cancers which can be imaged by PET.  Certain peptides and small proteins are known to be remarkably sensitive and selective cancer targeting agents.  However, the labeling of these peptides with ¹⁸F is laborious and impractical in a clinical setting.  This invention addresses the above obstacle directly by the attachment of a highly selective fluoride ion binding agent to cancer-specific peptides, allowing immediate radiolabeling with ¹⁸F.  This eliminates the necessity to perform any synthetic chemistry with ¹⁸F, resulting in a highly simplified, automatable labeling protocol which has the potential to revolutionize the application of PET to the cancer problem.

File Number: 19235 

Web site: http://techtransfer.universityofcalifornia.edu/...

Disease: Cancer