Preliminary evaluation of 18F-labeled LLP2A-trifluoroborate conjugates as VLA-4 ( α4β1 integrin) specific radiotracers for PET imaging of melanoma

The transmembrane α4β1 integrin receptor, or very-late antigen 4 (VLA-4), is associated with tumor metastasis and angiogenesis, the development of chemotherapeutic drug resistance, and is overexpressed in multiple myelomas, osteosarcomas, lymphomas, leukemias, and melanomas. The peptidomimetic, LLP2A, is a high-aff inity ligand with specificity for the extracellular portion of VLA-4 and several conjugates have been evaluated in vivo by NIR-fluorescence, 111In-SPECT and 68Ga- and 64Cu-PET imaging, but to date, not with 18F-PET.
Source: Nuclear Medicine and Biology - Category: Nuclear Medicine Authors: Source Type: research