Description

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the key regulator of angiogenesis and overexpressed VEGF receptors play the crucial role in the onset and progression of tumor angiogenesis. receptors are the primary targets of tremendous efforts to develop inhibitors of angiogenesis. However, these receptors are not used as biomarkers for prescribing or monitoring anti-angiogenic therapy due to a lack of methods for assessment of their prevalence. This invention provides molecular probes for PET, SPECT, and NIRF imaging VEGF receptors. The probes are based on a novel single-chain VEGF (scVEGF) expressed with a proprietary cysteine-containing tag for site-specific conjugation of contrast agents. VEGF-based probes bind to and internalized by VEGF receptors as effectively as parental VEGF, providing unique opportunities for non-invasive imaging VEGF receptors in vivo. Information on prevalence of VEGF receptors in patients might lead to evidence-based selection of candidates for anti-angiogenic therapy, facilitate design of personalized treatment regiments, enable early diagnostics and discrimination between benign and malignant lesions.

Benefits and Applications

Intellectual Property Status

Patent Pending (US PTO #20050221431B)

Related Publication

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