Targeting CCK receptors in human cancers

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Nuclear Medicine
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Over-expressed gut hormone receptors in human cancers offer targets for imaging and therapy.
• The cholecystokinin receptor (CCK-R) is a promising target due to its expression in various tumors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the potential of cholecystokinin receptors as targets for tumor imaging and therapy.
• To assess the feasibility of in vivo targeting of CCK receptors in human tumors.

Main Methods:

• Development of radiolabeled cholecystokinin (CCK) or gastrin analogs.
• Utilizing in vivo cholecystokinin receptor scintigraphy for tumor detection.

Main Results:

• Cholecystokinin receptors are expressed in neuroendocrine tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinomas and gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors, as well as stromal tumors.
• Radiolabeled CCK/gastrin analogs successfully detected these tumors and metastases in patients.
• In vivo scintigraphy confirmed the feasibility of targeting CCK receptors in human tumors.

Conclusions:

• Cholecystokinin receptor targeting is a viable strategy for imaging and potentially treating neuroendocrine tumors.
• Radiolabeled CCK analogs are effective diagnostic tools for detecting CCK receptor-expressing tumors and metastases.