CPC Scientific

Chelating Peptides

Cancer cells that express or overexpress specific receptors have lead to the development of synthetic peptides that target these receptors. Peptides conjugated to metal chelates (e.g, DOTA, NOTA, etc.) offer an attractive approach for both imaging of cancer tissues and as therapies that deliver cytotoxic cargo to cancer cells. The interleukin-13 receptor alpha 2 (IL13RA2) is a receptor that is abundantly overexpressed in most GBMs but not present in healthy brain cells. Ligands that specifically target this receptor may offer new approaches to the treatment of GBM. Because IL13RA2 is internalized upon binding IL13, this receptor is an attractive target for therapies involving the delivery of cytotoxic cargo to Glioblastoma (GBM) cells. Peptide-1 linear (Pep-1L) has been evaluated for its ability to localize at IL13RA2 and deliver cytotoxic alpha-particle emitters (Actinium-225, Ac-225) to GBM cells (right).