Research Areas
Activities
  • Design and development of peptide analogs conjugated to bifunctional chelators
  • Labeling with clinically relevant radiometals (99mTc, 111In: for SPECT imaging; 68Ga: for PET imaging; 177Lu: for radionuclide therapy)
  • Radiochemical studies (radio-HPLC, ITLC)
  • Pharmacological evaluation at the molecular and cellular level (GPCR-affinity binding assays, internalization and stability studies)
  • Metabolic stability studies
  • Biodistribution experiments
  • Small-animal imaging with SPECT/CT
  • New tracer preparation for clinical studies

Molecular Radiopharmacy

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Description

The Molecular Radiopharmacy team, linked to the Radiopharmacy sub-division, is actively engaged in the development and evaluation of radiolabeled vectors for oncological applications, based on the overexpression of target-biomolecules on cancer cells. Thus, following administration of GPCR-directed peptide radioligands in patients, visualization and/or eradication of cancer sites become feasible by means of diagnostic or therapeutic radiation specifically localized on tumor cells. Imaging is performed either by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), or by positron emission tomography (PET), whereas tumor cell apoptosis and death are induced by particle emitting radiation.

 

 

On one hand, our team has been developing GPCR-directed peptide radioligands carrying diagnostic or therapeutic radiometals to tumors and comprising: a) the targeting peptide, b) the chelator stably binding the radiometal of choice and c) a linker introduced between the two entities. On the other hand, it has been quite active in the preclinical evaluation of new peptide radioligands at the molecular and cellular level and in experimental animal models, which is the crucial link between molecule design and clinical application. Two major breakthroughs of the team are shown below (see: grants, infrastructures for more information):

People

Infrastructures

Latest Grants

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The research project “Radiolabeled Vectors in Nuclear Oncology” coded Ε12224 with a 5-year duration (2018-2023) is coordinated by Dr. T. Maina-Nock. It concerns a research cooperation of the Molecular...
The research project “New SST2R-antagonists in the diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors with PET/CT” coded Ε12452 with a 1-year duration (2020-2022) is coordinated by Dr. T. Maina-Nock. It co...
The research project “Development of Radiometalated GRPR-Antagonists for Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy” coded Ε11902 with a 3-year duration (2014-2016) is coordinated by Dr. T. Maina-Nock. It concerns a...
The research project “Improved Tumor Targeting with Radiolabeled Peptidomimetics” with a 5-year duration (2018-2023) is coordinated by Dr. B. A. Nock. It concerns a research cooperation of the Molecul...
The research project “Phase I clinical trial using a novel CCK-2/gastrin receptor-localizing radiolabelled peptide probe for personalized diagnosis and therapy of patients with progressive or metastat...
The research project “(Radio)diagnostic - (Radio)therapeutic Peptides and Peptide-like Molecules for Use in Oncology” coded Ε11461 with a 7-year duration (2007-2014) is coordinated by B. A. Nock. It c...
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Proud to Collaborate with

Cyclotron Rotterdam ΒV, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam
Netherlands
Department of Nuclear Medicine and Radiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam,
Netherlands
ICPO Academy – Department of Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz
Germany
Advanced Accelerator Applications
U.S.A.
ΒΙΟΕΜΤΕCH, Attica Technology Park “Lefkippos”, NCSR “Demokritos”
Greece
INRASTES - Official Web Site
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