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A Radiofluorinated Nanobody PET Tracer to Dynamically Visualize Differential Nectin4 Expression In Vivo

  • 0Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry +

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October 2, 2025

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October 2, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed a novel PET tracer targeting Nectin4, a protein found in various cancers. This diagnostic tool shows promise for visualizing Nectin4-expressing tumors, aiding in cancer detection and treatment strategies.

Area Of Science

  • Biomedical imaging
  • Molecular imaging
  • Radiochemistry

Background

  • Nectin4 is a promising therapeutic target for several cancer types.
  • Developing diagnostic tools for Nectin4 is crucial for targeted therapies.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To develop and evaluate a novel nanobody-based PET tracer for Nectin4.
  • To assess the diagnostic potential of the tracer in preclinical cancer models.

Main Methods

  • Selection and preparation of a nanobody-based PET tracer using [18F]AlF radiolabeling.
  • In vitro and in vivo evaluation of tracer affinity, specificity, and tumor uptake in cell lines and animal models.
  • Dynamic PET imaging and kinetic analysis to characterize pharmacokinetic behavior and Nectin4 expression correlation.

Main Results

  • The [18F]AlF-labeled nanobody tracer demonstrated high affinity for Nectin4 (KD = 6.77 nM).
  • The tracer successfully visualized Nectin4-expressing lesions in vivo.
  • PET signal intensity correlated with histological Nectin4 expression levels in tumor models.

Conclusions

  • The developed nanobody-based PET tracer is a specific and effective tool for visualizing Nectin4 expression.
  • This tracer holds potential for clinical application in diagnosing and monitoring Nectin4-positive cancers.