Prostate Tumor Angiogenesis Successfully Targeted by Radiopharmaceutical Designed for Diagnosis and Treatment
Researchers From University of Maryland and Molecular Insight Pharmaceuticals Present Data at Society of Nuclear Medicine’s Annual Meeting
Philadelphia, June 22, 2004 – A novel polymer-peptide conjugate developed at the University of Maryland has been shown to target prostate cancer tumor vessels. The composition uses Molecular Insight Pharmaceuticals’ proprietary SAAC™ technology to carry diagnostic or therapeutic radionuclides with matching distribution. This advance may accelerate development of both molecular imaging pharmaceuticals and targeted cancer therapies. These results were presented today at the Society of Nuclear Medicine’s annual meeting by researchers from the company and the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
"SAAC™ technology provides a highly ‘stable’ platform for interchanging imaging and therapeutic radionuclides. This murine study demonstrates that we can attach technetium for cancer diagnosis and rhenium for therapy with similar effectiveness," said John Babich, Ph.D., President and Chief Scientific Officer of Molecular Insight Pharmaceuticals. "In addition, the increased radiochemical stability of SAAC™ has the potential to provide better cancer detection and enhance delivery of therapeutic radionuclides."
Data Presented on Angiogenesis Targeting
The study examined the biodistribution of labeled HPMA copolymers carrying angiogenesis targeting peptides (RGD4C). To enable radiolabeling with either technetium-99m (99mTc) or rhenium-188 (188Re), the constructs incorporated SAAC™ technology. SCID mice with xenografts of human prostate carcinoma (DU-145) were injected with either the 99mTc or the 188Re labeled peptide constructs. The study showed matching radioactivity biodistributions and similar high levels of tumor uptake. The results suggest that both 99mTc and 188Re labeled SAAC™ peptide constructs have potential for molecular imaging and targeted radiotherapy.
"We are excited about the potential of Molecular Insight’s technology to improve molecular imaging and enable successful radiotherapy applications," said Bruce Line, M.D., Professor of Radiology and Director Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Radiology University of Maryland Medical System. "Noninvasive detection of prostate and other cancers at the earliest stages is an important medical need. Combining SAAC™ with our novel polymer-peptide constructs has enabled us to look forward to clinical applications in both diagnosis and treatment."
Potential Applications of SAAC™
According to Dr. Babich, SAAC™ technology has also been used to develop novel peptide libraries to evaluate candidates useful in molecular imaging and radiotherapy applications. The company presented data on the design and synthesis of SAAC™ at the 2003 Society of Nuclear Medicine meeting and demonstrated its potential to image infection.
Molecular Insight Pharmaceuticals is scheduled to present six studies at the 2004 SNM meeting related to SAAC™ and its potential in drug development as well as labeling insulin, glucose and the vitamin, biotin for use in oncology.
Researchers: Amitava Mitra, Justin Mulholland, Anjan Nan, Hamid Ghandehari, Edwina McNeill and Bruce Line from the University of Maryland and John Babich of Molecular Insight Pharmaceuticals.
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Location:
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Philadelphia Convention Center
Exhibit Hall C
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Time:
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Tuesday, June 22, 2004
4:30-5:15 p.m., EDT
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About Molecular Insight Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Molecular Insight Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a privately held biopharmaceutical company focused on leveraging its proprietary technology platforms in molecular medicine to develop innovative pharmaceuticals to diagnose and treat disease. These products are designed to improve the management of disease by targeting, visualizing, treating and monitoring disease at the molecular level. The company, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has established a strong pipeline of molecular imaging candidates focused on the large and growing markets in cardiology, oncology and neurology. Molecular Insight is also applying its platform technologies to develop targeted radiotherapeutics for the treatment of cancer. www.molecularinsight.com
SAAC™ (Single Amino Acid Chelate)
Molecular Insight Pharmaceutical’s
Proprietary Technology Platform
