Purpose It has been shown that some primary human tumours and their metastases, including prostate and breast tumours, overexpress gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) (5-14)), was tested in vivo in biodistribution studies using rats bearing GRP receptor-expressing CA20948 tumours, and nude mice bearing human PC3 xenografts. Injection of 111In-labelled Cmp 3 in these animals showed high, receptor-mediated uptake in receptor-positive organs and tumours which could be visualised using planar gamma camera and microSPECT/CT imaging. Conclusion With their enhanced receptor affinity and their rapid receptor-mediated internalisation in vitro and in vivo, the new BN analogues, and especially Cmp 3, are promising candidates for use in diagnostic molecular imaging and targeted radionuclide therapy of GRP receptor-expressing cancers.

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Tumours depend on sufficient blood supply for their growth. They are able to promote new blood vessel formation (neoangiogenesis) via angiogenic factors. Inhibition of this process results in tumour involution or necrosis. RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) peptides are described to antagonise neoangiogenesis, e.g., by binding to alpha(v)beta(3) receptors on blood vessels. In order to visualise neoangiogenesis in tumours in vitro and in vivo, we introduced and tested an RGD analogue [c(Arg-Gly-Asp-D-Tyr-Lys)], coupled to the chelator diethyleletriamepentaacetic acid (DTPA). This analogue can be radiolabelled with both (111)In and (125)I. In autoradiography and immunohistochemistry studies, the (125)I-labelled analogue appeared to bind specifically and with high affinity to alpha(v)beta(3) receptors on neovascular blood vessel sections of different major human cancers, like prostate and breast cancer, which express these receptors. This radioiodinated radiopharmaceutical also bound to and internalised in human carcinoid Bon cells and rat pancreatic CA20948 tumour cells. Internalisation was receptor-specific and appeared to be time and temperature dependent. In vivo in rats, we investigated administration of different peptide amounts (0.1, 0.5, and 100 microg). The best amount of the radiolabelled analogue to be administered to rats appeared to be 0.1 microg/rat, as uptake decreased with increasing peptide amount. We also found receptor-specific accumulation of the (111)In-labelled analogue in the transplantable pancreatic tumour CA20948. The introduction of the DTPA group in this peptide resulted in renal clearance of the radiopharmaceutical, in contrast to the non-DTPA-conjugated compound that is cleared predominantly via the liver. (111)In emits Auger and conversion electrons besides gamma radiation, therefore, this radiopharmaceutical is suitable not only for tumour scintigraphy but also has potential for radionuclide therapy of major human cancers as well. Moreover, after coupling to the chelator DOTA, the analogue could be radiolabelled in a stable way with beta-emitters, e.g., (90)Y and (177)Lu, enlarging its potential. Int. J. Cancer (Radiat. Oncol. Invest.) 90, 186-198 (2000).