Alternative Non-Antibody Protein Scaffolds for Molecular Imaging of Cancer.

ABSTRACT: The development of improved methods for early detection and characterization of cancer presents a major clinical challenge. One approach that has shown excellent potential in preclinical and clinical evaluation is molecular imaging with small-scaffold, non-antibody based, engineered proteins. These novel diagnostic agents produce high contrast images due to their fast clearance from the bloodstream and healthy tissues, can be evolved to bind a multitude of cancer biomarkers, and are easily functionalized by site-specific bioconjugation methods. Several small protein scaffolds have been verified for in vivo molecular imaging including affibodies and their two-helix variants, knottins, fibronectins, DARPins, and several natural ligands. Further, the biodistribution of these engineered ligand

SUBMITTER: Stern LA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3863941 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature