NCIt definition : A radiopharmaceutical agent comprised of a pegylated dimeric arginine-glycine-aspartic
acid (RGD)-based peptide labeled with 2-fluoropropionyl, with potential alphaVbeta3
integrin imaging activity upon positron emission topography (PET). The RGD moiety
of 2-fluoropropionyl-labeled pegylated dimeric RGD peptide targets and binds to alphaVbeta3
integrin. Upon PET imaging, alphaVbeta3 integrin-expressing tumor cells can be visualized
and expression levels can be quantified. Compared to other fluorine F 18 labeled RGD-containing
peptides, this agent shows increased affinity to alphaVbeta3 integrin, enhanced tumor
uptake as well as improved pharmacokinetics. alphaVbeta3 integrin, overexpressed on
certain tumor cells and tumor endothelial cells, plays a key role in angiogenesis,
tumor proliferation and survival.;