Evaluation of Radiolabeled Tumor Vessel Targeting Peptides as Novel Agents for the Staging and Therapy of Human Prostate Cancer

Abstract : The purpose of this study is to develop a new imaging agent to detect prostate cancer. This will be accomplished by using radiolabeled peptides that bind specifically to receptors on tumor blood vessels. The approach will produce a picture of the tumor for determining the spread of prostate cancer or the agent can be modified to help destroy the tumor. It is known that the blood vessels that nourish prostate cancers have unique receptors on their surface. Our research group has the expertise to make these peptides and conjugate different radioactive molecules to them. We also have the expertise to grow human prostate cancers in immune deficient mice and evaluate the uptake of radioactive molecules in these tumors by developing through a special camera an image of where the radioactivity is in the tumor-bearing mouse. This collective expertise enables us to test the hypothesis that radiolabeled tumor vessel targeting peptides (TVTP) will selectively bind to tumors and produce a scintigraphic image which will show where the tumor is in the body. Also, by changing the strength of the radioactive molecule on the TVTP, this method will selectively deliver a destructive dose of radioactivity to the tumor. 14. SUBJECT TERMS 15. NUMBER OF PAGES