Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

The somatostatin receptor (SSTR) is commonly over-expressed on cancers of breast and neuroendocrine origin, and has been successfully used as a target for diagnosis using positron emission tomography (PET). Our aim was to improve currently existing imaging probes for SSTR by modifying their radiochemistry to be simpler and more compatible with current nuclear medicine facilities. We did this by changing the radioactive isotope (the source of the PET signal) attached to the imaging molecule from the classically used 68Ga to the more commonly used 18F. 18F has several advantages over 68Ga such as better imaging properties, easier production methods and a longer half-life. The only disadvantage of using 18F is the long and laborious method of radiolabeling. However, in collaboration with the Perrin group at the University of British Columbia, we were able to develop a much simpler and more effective method of radiolabeling molecules with 18F. We subsequently evaluated our imaging probes in tumour (breast cancer) bearing animals and found that they displayed very good tumor uptake and contrast. We believe that our modified tracers are comparable to the originals and can be used in cases where 18F is more easily accessible.