Beyond Small Molecules: Antibodies and Peptides for Fibroblast Activation Protein Targeting Radiopharmaceuticals.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiopharmaceutical Science
• Biomarker Discovery

Background:

• Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a serine protease highly expressed in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs).
• FAP's restricted expression in normal adult tissues makes it a unique target for cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.
• The unique expression profile of FAP presents a significant opportunity for targeted cancer radiodiagnosis and therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in FAP-targeted radiopharmaceuticals.
• To summarize the progress of antibody and peptide-based FAP radiopharmaceuticals in tumor imaging and therapy.
• To provide insights into the clinical utility of FAP-targeted radiopharmaceuticals.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent research on FAP radiopharmaceuticals.
• Analysis of studies focusing on antibody and peptide-based FAP ligands.
• Evaluation of clinical utility and perspectives of FAP-targeted agents.

Main Results:

• Peptides and antibodies demonstrate superior tumor retention compared to small molecules.
• FAP-based radiopharmaceuticals show potential for revolutionizing cancer radiotheranostics.
• Recent studies highlight the clinical utility of FAP-targeted agents for imaging and therapy.

Conclusions:

• FAP-targeted radiopharmaceuticals, particularly those utilizing antibodies and peptides, represent a significant advancement in oncology.
• These agents hold promise for improved tumor imaging, diagnosis, and targeted therapy.
• Further clinical evaluation is warranted to fully realize the potential of FAP-based radiotheranostics.